Friday, October 24, 2014

Craig Spencer - Ebola in NYC

Here we go again.

Another Ebola case, this time in New York City.

Craig Spencer tested positive for Ebola.

He's a doctor who rides the subway. He goes bowling.



Spencer treated Ebola patients in Africa, and he didn't feel well Tuesday morning, but that didn't keep him from hanging out in public places and using public transportation yesterday.

The CDC says Spencer passed the enhanced screening for travelers from West Africa.

I guess that tells us the "enhanced screening" is not getting the job done.

From the New York Times:

Dr. Spencer had been working with Doctors Without Borders in Guinea treating Ebola patients, and completed his work on Oct. 12, Dr. Bassett said. He flew out of the country on Oct. 14, traveling via Europe, and arrived in New York on Oct. 17.

Since returning, he had been taking his temperature twice a day, Dr. Bassett said.

He told the authorities that he did not believe the protective gear he wore while working with Ebola patients had been breached but had been monitoring his own health.
That's disturbing.
...“He is a committed and responsible physician who always puts his patients first,” the hospital said in a statement. “He has not been to work at our hospital and has not seen any patients at our hospital since his return from overseas.”
Was it responsible to go bowling and use public transportation?

No.

From the New York Post:

Craig Spencer, who was was suffering from Ebola-like symptoms — a 103-degree fever and nausea — spent Wednesday night bowling in Williamsburg, the sources said. He used Uber taxis to get there and back.

He landed at JFK airport on Oct. 17 on a connecting flight from Brussels, a source said. Spencer’s temperature was 98.7 degrees upon arrival, the source added.
It's going to be tough to track Spencer's contacts.

It seems that anyone who has come from West Africa and TREATED EBOLA PATIENTS should automatically be isolated to be sure they don't spread the virus.

Certainly, doctors and healthcare workers should understand that necessity to protect the public health.

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Everywhere the NYC Ebola Patient Went During His 'Self-Isolation'






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