"Houston we have a problem" This just got very real

[Esme12]

And so it begins....

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."

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/texas-health-care-worker-tests-positive-ebola/story?id=26135108

[Momma1RN, MSN, RN, APRN]

She must not have followed protocol for the removal of PPE. That's all I can think of. Or, we don't know the full story on how it's transmitted.

[APRN., DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Has anyone else noticed that it appears that the longer the virus is incubating in the host, the more likely it is to be transmitted to someone else.

I first got this idea when I read the reports on EBSCO that stated that the most infectious stage in Ebola is in a corpse.

Why didn't the ER nurse in the Dallas ER become infected?

Why hasn't members of Mr Duncan's family shown symptoms? He returned to them after his first ER visit upon becoming symptomatic.

It makes sense that within the chain of infection, "an infectious dose" would require less of an exposure as the infection rages on. Especially when one is taking care of a patient who was losing the fight against Ebola.

Just some early morning musings....

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

She must not have followed protocol for the removal of PPE. That's all I can think of.

This is what I am thinking too.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Has anyone else noticed that it appears that the longer the virus is incubating in the host, the more likely it is to be transmitted to someone else.

I first got this idea when I read the reports on EBSCO that stated that the most infectious stage in Ebola is in a corpse.

Why didn't the ER nurse in the Dallas ER become infected?

Why hasn't members of Mr Duncan's family shown symptoms? He returned to them after his first ER visit upon becoming symptomatic.

It makes sense that within the chain of infection, "an infectious dose" would require less of an exposure as the infection rages on. Especially when one is taking care of a patient who was losing the fight against Ebola.

Just some early morning musings....

I think you're right, in past outbreaks in Africa, it is believed many contracted the disease only after contact with the corpse (as it's a funeral ritual to touch the body of the deceased). According to research, the disease it not contagious until a person is symptomatic, and the viral load increases as the disease progresses. It makes sense that one would be more contagious at the end stages.

[Raviepoo]

Does anyone know what flavor of "Healthcare worker" this is? I have seen CNAs and other non-nurses do things in hospitals that have made my toes curl. There are many people working in hospitals who don't have the benefit of some of the classes that we get as nurses. Think about the microbiology class you took during your schooling. Did that change the way you look at the world?

A friend of mine who worked as a CNA before becoming an RN told me that she was never taught how to correctly put on and take off PPDs. Maybe that's the problem. Maybe the people taking care of ebola patients need intensive training in staying safe. Won't happen. Too expensive. But I think it's a good idea.

[Momma1RN, MSN, RN, APRN]

They're saying "nurse". Which I suppose could be assistive personnel. But, i'm betting RN.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

A female nurse at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas has tested positive for Ebola after a preliminary test, officials said.

Confirmatory testing will be conducted Sunday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. Test results are expected to be announced later in the day.

The patient is a female nurse, an official who is familiar with this case told CNN.

The CDC states that it is a nurse that took care of the patient during the hospital stay now I wonder if it was during the critical part of the patients illness. The CDC states that "protective gear" was used. Now I wonder what they mean by "protective gear. A N95 type mask or the space suits.

The nurse was involved in Duncan's second visit to the hospital, when he was admitted for treatment, and was wearing protective gear as prescribed by the CDC: gown, gloves, mask and shield, Varga said.

The official familiar with the case told CNN that the CDC will investigate to see if guidelines were followed properly.

"The CDC is looking very carefully around the circumstances of this patient's infection and will look to see if there were any breaches and, if so, what those were," the official said.

I am actually relieved that it wasn't the ED staff (yet). That made me a little nervous. Now I wonder at what point of the disease process...is the virus is more virulent when he became critical?

Ebola: Texas nurse tests positive - CNN.com

[edmia, BSN, RN]

Agree - I think a US epidemic could be a very real occurrence. This possibility should be forcing the CDC and WHO to be looking QUICKLY into developing a vaccine or effective treatment.

I would hope they've been working on it since there have been >3500 deaths in Africa. But then again, we know how third world deaths are treated differently than first world deaths...

Here's an interesting info graphic depicting the unbalanced media coverage:

http://m.mic.com/articles/100618/one-powerful-illustration-shows-exactly-what-s-wrong-with-media-coverage-of-ebola

[duskyjewel]

Does anyone know what flavor of "Healthcare worker" this is? I have seen CNAs and other non-nurses do things in hospitals that have made my toes curl.

And I've worked with BSN-prepared nurses who couldn't put their gowns on correctly even with a big picture on the outside of the box for instruction! (They were the kind with the loop that goes over the thumb, and that is supposed to go under the gloves, and I saw several who would always put their gloves on first, then the gown and thumb loop over top.) I've also worked with nurses who wipe the wrong direction for peri and catheter care, shake out patient bed linens all over me, and take a used mouth swab, put emollient on it, and then run that disgusting thing all over the patient's lips.

I was taught in CNA school how to properly apply and remove PPE. Please get over your assumption that nurses must be too smart to do it wrong, and CNAs must be too stupid to do it right.

[OhioCCRN, MSN, NP]

I would hope they've been working on it since there have been >3500 deaths in Africa. But then again, we know how third world deaths are treated differently than first world deaths...

.... I was going to say the same thing... Ebola has been around for YEARS! but you never heard a peep about it in the healthcare community, no one spurring on the CDC and WHO to come up with vaccines and advanced treatments... now that it is here in the first world and the threat of contagion is real, suddenly media coverage is all over it....

... that being said, heres to hoping they find treatment because as nurses, we are going to be at a higher risk of contracting Ebola, PPE and spacesuits aside....

[Sippie]

Has anyone else noticed that it appears that the longer the virus is incubating in the host, the more likely it is to be transmitted to someone else.

I first got this idea when I read the reports on EBSCO that stated that the most infectious stage in Ebola is in a corpse.

Why didn't the ER nurse in the Dallas ER become infected?

Why hasn't members of Mr Duncan's family shown symptoms? He returned to them after his first ER visit upon becoming symptomatic.

It makes sense that within the chain of infection, "an infectious dose" would require less of an exposure as the infection rages on. Especially when one is taking care of a patient who was losing the fight against Ebola.

Just some early morning musings....

I was thinking the same thing and have been wondering if the fiance of Duncan has come down with any symptoms yet? I haven't seen anything saying one way or another.

It seems like she would have been most at risk because she was caring for him when he got symptoms and sleeping in the same house or possibly bed (?) and handling contaminated items. If she doesn't get ill then perhaps getting sick easier from the later stage or after death is true.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I would hope they've been working on it since there have been >3500 deaths in Africa. But then again, we know how third world deaths are treated differently than first world deaths...

Here's an interesting info graphic depicting the unbalanced media coverage:

One Powerful Illustration Shows Exactly What's Wrong With How the West Talks About Ebola - Mic

More than the media slant to things I think it is a shame that Big Pharma had little to no interest to investigate experimental treatment/vaccine because there was no financial incentive. Now that there is incentive I am willing to bet that they will go full force...at a price.