Ebola arrives in Texas

CDC reports confirm that a patient in Dallas, TX was hospitalized with the Ebola virus infection. This is the first case of Ebola outside Africa in this current epidemic and the first ever in the US. The patient remains in strict isolation as CDC officials seek to track down all of his close contacts for testing and treatment. Important to note, Ebola is not transmitted through the air. You must be in close contact and exchange bodily fluids with the infected individual. This makes it easier for the CDC to prevent an epidemic in the US.

The CDC has released the following timeline of the patient's infection.

September 19: The adult patient boards a flight to the U.S. in Liberia after being screened for Ebola symptoms

September 20: The patient arrives in the United States

September 24: Patient shows first symptoms of Ebola

September 26: Patient seeks initial medical care

September 28: Patient admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas

This patient brought Ebola to the US in 1 day before showing symptoms of infection. As I have written earlier, commercialization allows for the rapid transit of infected patients from endemic countries to countries that haven't seen the disease in years (or in the case of Ebola, ever). This is a tremendous example of the potential for infectious diseases to cross boundaries, so please vaccinate yourself and your children with safe and available vaccines.

Relatedly, drug companies have started testing the safety of potential Ebola vaccines. They may be coming soon to a pharmacy near you.

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This is a personal blog. The views expressed herein may not represent those of my employer.