surgeon with Ebola has died

Mulan · Nov 17, 2014

He had Ebola symptoms but tested negative. He tested positive 4 days later.

Mulan · Nov 17, 2014

My Way News - US to screen travelers from Mali for Ebola

"In contrast, only about 15 to 20 passengers arrive from Mali to the United States on an average day. The majority end up arriving through the same five airports. But in the next few days, steps will be taken to make sure all funnel through those airports, Frieden said."

"The CDC is quickly expanding its staffing in Mali, with at least four people there as of Sunday and about a dozen expected to be in place within the next couple of days, agency officials said."

"The most common symptoms of the epidemic strain of Ebola include fever, headache and vomiting and diarrhea. People are only considered to be infectious while they are suffering symptoms, which can begin anywhere from two to 21 days after a person is infected."

"The CDC has not advised against travel to Mali, and noted the latest cases are in Bamako and a rural village. The CDC is warning travelers to Mali to avoid contact with blood or body fluids from anyone who might be sick with Ebola or who recently died from the disease."

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Nov 17, 2014

Apparently he was tested in Sierra Leone before coming to the US. I wonder if the same tests are used in both places or if there is a difference in sensitivity that would account for his testing negative the first time. This would obviously lead to delayed treatment and as we've seen that seems to be the key factor in Ebola deaths outside West Africa.

toomuchbaloney · Nov 17, 2014

Perhaps it did delay his treatment; the negative test.

That test, however, tends to support the notion that even when symptomatic the viral burden may not be adequate to even trigger the positive test, much less adequate to spread the disease through casual contact.

Why are the ignorant masses not ranting about isolating all health workers who came into contact with this patient?

All4NursingRN · Nov 18, 2014

omg so sorry to hear that, especially since he did good work treating the ill. Rest in peace.

annie.rn · Nov 18, 2014

So sad. From what I have seen on the news he was a very lovely, giving man who wanted to be there for the people of his country even though it placed him in danger. God bless him and his family.

OCNRN63, RN · Nov 18, 2014

Perhaps it did delay his treatment; the negative test.
That test, however, tends to support the notion that even when symptomatic the viral burden may not be adequate to even trigger the positive test, much less adequate to spread the disease through casual contact.
Why are the ignorant masses not ranting about isolating all health workers who came into contact with this patient?

"Outrage Central" has moved on to something else by now, I suppose. Short attention spans.

canigraduate · Nov 18, 2014

"Outrage Central" has moved on to something else by now, I suppose. Short attention spans.

My guess would be that it hasn't shown up on FOX yet.

Mulan · Nov 18, 2014

My Way News - Man who died from Ebola endured treatment delays

"OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A surgeon who contracted Ebola in his native Sierra Leone did not receive aggressive treatment until nearly two weeks after he first started showing symptoms — a delay that doctors said probably made it impossible for anyone to save his life."

"Dr. Martin Salia was in the 13th day of his illness when he reached Omaha on Saturday. It took three days for him to be formally diagnosed after an initial test for Ebola came back negative and then another five days to be flown to the United States."

"It's not unusual to see false negative tests for Ebola in the early stages because the amount of the virus in the bloodstream is still low, said Dr. Phil Smith, the infectious-disease expert who leads the Nebraska Medical Center's biocontainment unit."

"The U.S. government warns doctors to be wary of possible false negative tests for Ebola."

imintrouble, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2014

My Way News - Man who died from Ebola endured treatment delays
"OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A surgeon who contracted Ebola in his native Sierra Leone did not receive aggressive treatment until nearly two weeks after he first started showing symptoms — a delay that doctors said probably made it impossible for anyone to save his life."

"Dr. Martin Salia was in the 13th day of his illness when he reached Omaha on Saturday. It took three days for him to be formally diagnosed after an initial test for Ebola came back negative and then another five days to be flown to the United States."

"It's not unusual to see false negative tests for Ebola in the early stages because the amount of the virus in the bloodstream is still low, said Dr. Phil Smith, the infectious-disease expert who leads the Nebraska Medical Center's biocontainment unit."

"The U.S. government warns doctors to be wary of possible false negative tests for Ebola."

I wonder why they didn't just start treating him for the disease he obviously had? Is it because he was in Africa with limited resources? The US wouldn't transport him with the "negative" Ebola test results?

We treat people prophylactically for all kinds of things where I work. If he had symptoms for at least 3-4 days while testing negative, his condition had to be deteriorating.

It just seems like such a waste. What was the worst that could have happened? A wasted flight? If I were his family, the lost time in treatment would make his death so much more painful.

phuretrotr · Nov 19, 2014

Why are the ignorant masses not ranting about isolating all health workers who came into contact with this patient?

...One word...Doctor.

...I couldn't resist...