A
health care worker who treated Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person in the U.S. diagnosed with
Ebola who later died, has preliminarily tested positive for the deadly virus, the Texas Department of State Health Services said in a statement today.
The health care worker at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital has been isolated since reporting a low-grade fever Friday, the department said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will conduct further testing to confirm the diagnosis.
"We knew a second case could be a reality, and we've been preparing for this possibility," Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services said in the statement. "We are broadening our team in Dallas and working with extreme diligence to prevent further spread."
brandy1017, ASN, RN
2,910 Posts
How dare they blame the nurse when they give her inadequate equipment, a flimsy gown, mask. No respirator, no safety suit, her whole body wasn't even covered and then dealing with intubation and dialysis, and profuse body fluids. Too bad she can't sue them for putting her in this dangerous situation. As others have stated Ebola is a level 4 biohazard and should be met with a positive pressure hazmat body suit and respirator, even decontamination showers to make sure their is no virus on the suit before taking it off! They should be using the 4 hospitals in the country that have the necessary safety equipment. Also they were drilled and instructed before caring for the Ebola patients complete with a buddy system, unlike the rest of us. Even in Africa workers are sprayed down with bleach before taking off their safety equipment. A flimsy gown and mask just doesn't cut it! Also ending air travel to and from West Africa till this is contained is long overdue! What is this someone's idea of an experiment to see how Ebola would react in America. Why are we being put needlessly at risk! Also I don't want to worry about my pet being euthanised and my house being invaded to decontaminate it!
The govt should be paying hospitals to buy the hazmat suits and respirators for their staff and providing adequate training to protect us and the borders should be closed already so more people aren't needlessly exposed to Ebola in America! Honestly if I could afford to quit I would do so rather than be put in this position of risking my life with inadequate equipment and training. As long as the borders are open we will be at risk. I'm not worried about millions dying, I am worried about how many health care workers are going to die from this and how many others exposed between the Ebola patients and their healthcare workers. Now we have thousands of Americans in the military being exposed to Ebola and I wonder how many of them are going to need to be medivaced back to the states for treatment. It is only a matter of when and how many that remains to be seen!
I hope the National Nurses United are strong enough to get action throughout the countries hospitals since the govt and CDC haven't been of much use. The CDC telling people a simple mask and gown is enough! What a big fat lie! I would like to see the head of the CDC gowning up in a simple mask and gown taking care of these patients and see if he gets it? He knows damn well it is not safe and a gown and mask are not enough to protect us!