CDC-conducted tests prove negative
Tests on a patient who was hospitalized in Sacramento and examined for the Ebola virus are negative, Ron Chapman, California’s health officer and director of the Department of Public Health, said Thursday.
“We are pleased with the negative outcome of the Ebola test and wish the patient a speedy recovery,” he said.
The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested samples taken from the patient, he said.
He said the agency had been working with the Sacramento County Public Health Department and Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center to be sure that proper protocols were being followed while the patient was being diagnosed.
Chapman said there are no confirmed cases of Ebola in California, nor have any patients been admitted to California hospitals who are considered to be at high risk of having contracted the virus.
“The case in Sacramento County demonstrates that the system is working,” he said. “This patient was quickly identified, appropriate infection control procedures were implemented, and public health authorities were notified.”
Ebola is an infectious disease caused by the Ebola virus, Chapman said. Symptoms may appear as soon as two days after exposure or as late as 21.
Those symptoms are fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain and abnormal bleeding, he said.
Chapman said Ebola is classified as a viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) because of the fever and abnormal bleeding.
Though it is difficult to contract, usually by body fluids, it is feared because of its high mortality rate, he said. There are no specific treatments, he said. Instead, patients receive supportive therapy to address bleeding and other complications.
Those interested may visit the California Department of Public Health’s website, www.cdph.ca.gov.