Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new Ebola guidelines in an attempt to bring some light to a confused response to the latest Ebola diagnosis after the United Nations (UN) sharply criticized the controversial isolation policy enacted by the three US states on healthcare workers returning from West Africa.
According to the new national guidelines published by the CDC, medical personnel coming back to the US after treating Ebola patients in West Africa should be more closely monitored by local authorities for 21 days. However, The Guardian reported that only those believed as "high risk" or those who did not wear proper protective suits or those who were exposed to the virus through a needle or other injury should automatically require mandatory isolation in their homes or in the hospital.
The federal officials said that for those with "some risk" or those who lived in a household with an Ebola patient but did not have direct contact, travel restrictions can be decided on a case-to-case basis, as reported by The Huffington Post.
"The updated guidelines should increase the level of protection of the health and safety of Americans while protecting those who are doing the heroic work of protecting us from Ebola as they fight it on the shores of Africa as well," CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden stated.
The latest updated CDC guidelines on Ebola was released after the mandatory isolation policy imposed by New York and New Jersey last Friday for all healthcare staff returning to the US from West Africa was criticized by the UN. The said policy was announced after Dr. Craig Spencer was diagnosed with Ebola last week in New York City.
In a statement released by the UN, Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon said the policy created difficulties for those risking their lives to fight the deadly Ebola virus.
"These restrictions have put particular pressure on health care workers and those who have been on the frontline of the Ebola response. Returning health workers are exceptional people who are giving of themselves for humanity," UN Chief Ban stated through a statement. "They should not be subjected to restrictions that are not based on science. Those who develop infections should be supported, not stigmatized."
Meanwhile, in releasing the new CDC Ebola guidelines, New York Daily News stated that Frieden is worried that some of the imposed state policies have the effect of "creating stigma or false impressions."
"We do have concern that if we're doing things that make it very difficult for (healthcare workers) to come back ... they will be less likely to go help stop it at the source," the CDC director said.
The new CDC-released Ebola guidelines are not binding on states, however, the director said states usually follow the agency's recommendations.
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