DALLAS — Health officials are closely monitoring a possible second Ebola patient who had close contact with the first patient to be diagnosed in the U.S., the director of Dallas County’s health department said Wednesday.
All who have been in close contact with the diagnosed patient are being monitored as a precaution, said Zachary Thompson, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.
“Let me be real frank to the Dallas County residents: The fact that we have one confirmed case, there may be another case that is a close associate with this particular patient,” he said. “So this is real. There should be a concern, but it’s contained to the specific family members and close friends at this moment.”
What's their definition of "monitored"? The doctor that was admitted to Bethesda, which we still haven't heard the results of his test, was, in his own words, monitoring himself at home by merely taking his temperature twice daily. That's a mature educated medical professional who knows the importance of keeping away from others. But this Liberian family with six kids won't be as cautious. Imagine trying to keep six kids locked indoors for days. Can we assume the CDC can't be bothered to check in with their neighbors and friends?