Yale University officials disclosed Thursday that a graduate student who had recently returned from researching EBOLA in Liberia was being treated in isolation as a suspected case of the deadly virus. The student was admitted Wednesday night to Yale-New Haven Hospital.
The Yale Daily News reported that Yale-New Haven Health Hospital (YNHH) spokesperson Mark D'Antonio said that the student is in good, stable condition.
Though Yale University administrators have claimed that the student did not have contact with the disease, Yale Medical School Dean Robert Alpern said that the student did have contact with one person who in time developed EBOLA.
A source familiar with the student's travel activities has revealed the patient came in direct contact with NBC cameraman Ashoka Mukpo, who was diagnosed with EBOLA on Oct.1. The source added the patient point out that contact came the day before Mukpo developed symptoms.
According to the New York Times, Yale-New Haven Health Hospital Chief Operating Officer Richard D' Aquila said that they had tested the researcher for EBOLA and anticipated the test result within 24 hours. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Thomas J. Balcezak said that they are using precautions in handling and treating the patient. But, Dr. Balcezak has refused to identify the patient.
Balcezak also stated that the suspected EBOLA-infected Yale student had been placed in a "negative pressure" room to prevent the air from circulating to other parts of the hospital. He added that the hospital officials are trying to limit the number of doctors and nurses who come in contact with the patient. Officials said that those who come in contact are outfitted with biohazard suits that exceed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's requirements.
CBS News reported New Haven Mayor Toni Harp said she was informed about a possible patient with EBOLA-like symptoms by the police and fire chiefs. After evaluating the case, Harp said she does not think the case will be EBOLA. However, precautions are strictly practiced.
Meanwhile, the student called Yale Health on Wednesday night reporting symptoms of EBOLA. Yale Health organized the student to be transported by American Medical Response to Yale-New Haven Health Hospital. As said by American Medical Response Operations Manager Edward Badamo, Yale Health confidentially contacted first responders at around 9 in the evening.
In accordance with strict isolation procedures, the patient with EBOLA-like symptoms was transported to YNHH wearing a Tyvex suit. The back of the ambulance was covered in plastic and ambulance crew also wore Tyvex suits.
The hospital released a statement Thursday morning saying that no diagnosis had been confirmed or ruled out. At a press conference around noon, YNHH President Richard D'Aquila, YNHH Chief Medical Officer Thomas Balcezak and New Haven Mayor Toni Harp gave their statements. D'Aquila said the Yale student is placed in isolation and being monitored by a medical team. He also stated the hospital is working with local, state and federal officials regarding a possible EBOLA issue.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has instructed YNHH administrators to send a specimen to a Massachusetts laboratory for testing.
The Yale EBOLA researchers were initially scheduled to return from Liberia on Oct. 4, but was pushed back a week for undetermined reasons. Upon their arrival in the US, they primarily agreed to isolate themselves for 21 days. However, university doctors and administrators later decided that it was safe for them to return home and self-isolation was considered unnecessary.
In an email sent Thursday to the University community, Yale University President Peter Salovey said that there is no sign that the student has infected with EBOLA. He added the hospitalization decision was made for safety precaution and based on the recommendation of physicians, local and state health officials, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mayor's office Director of communications Lawrence Grotheer said both Yale New Haven Hospital and American Medical Response followed measures exceeding the CDC references. And New Haven citizens are at marginal danger of exposure if they have not recently been in West Africa.
Following the diagnosis of the two Dallas nurses after treating a man who died of the disease earlier this month, if the Yale student is confirmed, this would be the third EBOLA transmission case diagnosed in America.
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