The University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas City, Kan., today reported an individual called and then came into the hospital early this morning with a high fever and other serious symptoms. Because the patient had recently worked on a medical boat off the west coast of Africa, the patient was immediately isolated on a special infectious disease unit and is undergoing tests.
Hospital staff met the patient wearing personal protection equipment and followed the hospital’s plan for this kind of illness, a spokesman said.
Tests are underway to determine a diagnosis, KU officials said. While the hospital cannot rule out Ebola at this time, Dr. Lee Norman, chief medical officer of The University of Kansas Hospital, said the patient is at low to moderate risk of Ebola. While Dr. Norman also notes there are many other diseases that fit the patient’s symptoms, the hospital nevertheless is following guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control.
Care is being provided by a dedicated team of nurses and other health professionals. These staff will not treat other patients during this period until diagnosis and treatment plans are completed, the spokesman said.
The hospital is in close contact with federal, state and local health officials.
Regardless of the diagnosis, the patient is in an isolated area of the hospital and does not pose a health risk to other patients, staff or visitors in the hospital, according to the spokesman. The area has its own ventilation system. All bedding and medical waste is being isolated from the regular hospital material under federal CDC and state transportation guidelines.
No other information on the patient is available due to federal privacy laws.
– Story from KU Hospital