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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : October 13, 2014 11:45 AM IST
According to the director of the US CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention), a 'breach in protocol' is the key reason for the US healthcare worker to get infected by the deadly Ebola virus. The worker, reportedly a female nurse, tested positive for Ebola in the preliminary clinical tests and might have acquired the disease while treating the first patient with the Ebola infection. This case in the US is the first known Ebola transmission that occurred from person-to-person.
'We are deeply concerned,' Xinhua quoted CDC director Tom Frieden in a press conference on Sunday. Frieden said the nurse had 'extensive contact' on 'multiple occasions' with Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person diagnosed with Ebola on US soil, who died earlier this week. 'We don't know what occurred in the care of the index patient -- the original patient in Dallas,' said Frieden. 'But at some point there was a breach in protocol, and that breach in protocol resulted in this infection.' (Read: What is the Ebola incubation period?)
According to the CDC, the health care worker reported a low grade fever and was referred for testing Friday. A preliminary test result done at a state public health laboratory in Austin Saturday showed that the worker contracted the virus. The confirmation testing at a CDC laboratory will be done later Sunday, Frieden said, adding the preliminary test suggested the level of the Ebola virus 'was low' in the blood of the nurse, who has been isolated after her symptoms were reported. (Read:10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)
And at this time, only one person may have had contact with the nurse after she became sick, Frieden said. He cautioned that it is possible the U.S. will see additional cases of Ebola in the coming days. 'This is because the health care workers who cared for this individual may have had a breach of the same nature of the individual who appears now to have a preliminary positive test,' Frieden added.Duncan, a 42-year-old Liberian, arrived in Dallas on Sept. 20 and fell ill several days later. He had already been showing symptoms during his first visit to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Sep 25. But the hospital did not weigh his case until his second visit Sep 28. Duncan was diagnosed to be the first Ebola patient on US soil Sep 30. He died Wednesday. (Read: What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?)
Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) with answers about the deadly Ebola disease -
How is the Ebola virus disease caused?
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a contagious disease caused by infection with one of the four strains of the Ebola virus. The Ebola virus belongs to the family of Filoviridae and the viral strains with potential for infection in humans are Zaire, Bundibugyo, Tai Forest and Sudan virus. (Read: Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention)
How does it spread?
The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the body fluids (semen, sweat, saliva and blood), infected objects (needles) and close skin contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through close contact with infected animals (handling the meat) and consumption of uncooked meat. Read more about Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ)
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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