City of Amarillo Health Department is Currently Monitoring a Group of Travelers Who May Have Been Exposed to the Ebola Virus

The City of Amarillo Health Department announced today that they are monitoring a small group of travelers from West Africa for Ebola exposure.

The travelers did not display symptoms of the virus upon entering the United States, however symptoms have since presented.

One of the travelers, a child,  has been sent to the hospital and is currently being monitored at Northwest Texas Hospital.  Public Health officials are now monitoring this group of travelers at least two times per day for 21 days and will follow local protocols.

According to Public Health Director Casie Stoughton:

“We have been planning for such an event since September. Community partners such as fire, AMS, police, emergency management, environmental health, airport, animal control and county agencies have been instrumental in proper planning and response,”

“By following these protocols we’re greatly reducing the likelihood of exposing others.”

Dr. Ako Bradford, Deputy Health Authority stated that these individuals do not pose a risk to the general population.

“Remember, the likelihood of contracting Ebola is extremely low unless a person has direct unprotected contact with the blood or body fluids (like urine, saliva, feces, vomit, sweat, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola,” Dr. Bradford says. “Ebola cannot be spread simply by being near someone who is infected.”