At Least 80 People Had Contact With Ebola Patient or His Family
According to Texas health officials, over 80 people have had direct or indirect contact with Thomas Duncan, the Texas patient recently diagnosed with Ebola, since he arrived in the United States on September 20.
Duncan had personal contact with 12-18 people, mostly family members—including five children—at the apartment complex where he was staying. Four of those family members have been ordered to isolate themselves at home and not to receive visitors until October 19.
The orders — which were hand-delivered to family members Wednesday evening by local health officials — legally require that the family must stay at home until October 19 at the earliest. Also, no visitors will be allowed without the approval of local or state health departments.
The family must also provide blood samples upon request, and to immediately report any symptoms of the sickness to Dallas County Health and Human Services.
Dallas County Health and Human Services spokeswoman Erikka Neroes said none of the 80 people potentially exposed have shown any signs of the disease, though all have received educational materials and are being monitored by local officials.
[Image via AP]
