In a follow-up on the suspected Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case isolated at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, health officials with the Boston Public Health Commission said:
After discussions with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Boston Public Health Commission and its partners have determined that the patient being evaluated at BIDMC does not meet criteria to be considered someone at high risk for Ebola. The BPHC will continue to monitor this situation.
Through our network of hospitals, community health centers, and pre-hospital care providers, we’ve established a citywide state of preparedness. Our priority is the safety and health of the Boston community. We are working through a number of channels to ensure that our network of care providers are communicating and are effectively prepared to treat and control the spread of Ebola, or any infectious disease, in our City.
In addition, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center released the following statement:
Earlier today, we had been asked to accept in transfer a patient who had reported traveling from Liberia. While Liberia is an area where Ebola is present, after our initial evaluation, this patient does not appear to meet CDC criteria to be considered someone at high risk for Ebola and the likelihood of Ebola Virus Disease is extremely low. The patient will remain in isolation as we continue to evaluate and monitor the patient’s condition. All precautions continue to be taken to ensure the safety of our patients, their families and our staff. We are in close contact with the Boston Public Health Commission and the State Department of Public Health.
The hospital remains open for all normal clinical operations and visits.
