The still unnamed Partners In Health clinician who contracted Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) while volunteering in Sierra Leone has apparently got worse, according to officials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center’s Special Clinical Studies Unit.
In an announcement today, the NIH said: “the status of the patient with Ebola virus disease being treated at the NIH Clinical Center from serious to critical condition.” The patient arrived at the NIH on Friday from Sierra Leone via private charter medevac in isolation.
One of the four people that were sent to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for monitoring due to possible exposure to the above positive case has been transported to Nebraska Medicine’s Biocontainment Unit for further monitoring, and care if necessary.
According to Nebraska officials, the individual developed symptoms Sunday evening while being monitored, and out of an abundance of caution, was brought to the unit.
“At this point, this person has not tested positive for the Ebola virus,” said Phil Smith, M.D., medical director of the Biocontainment Unit at Nebraska Medicine. “However, because of a change in symptoms, we decided the most prudent course of action was to bring the individual to the Biocontainment Unit, where we can better monitor symptoms and safely perform testing. However, some of the symptoms which prompted the move to the Biocontainment Unit have resolved this morning.”
Dr. Smith emphasized there is no risk to the general public because this individual was separated from other patients and staff. People who develop Ebola aren’t contagious until they become symptomatic, and are likely to be most contagious later in the course of the illness.
In addition, Nebraska officials announced that a fifth individual would arrive today who may have been exposed in Sierra Leone.
