Ebola Scare In New York City?

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Reports broke Sunday that two patients in New York City possibly had exposure to Ebola at a Manhattan urgent-care facility.

Emergency workers in hazmat suits rushed the two patients, who had recently traveled to Uganda, to the hospital.

WATCH:

However, officials later ruled out Ebola as the suspected cause of the symptoms.

From the New York Post:

The patients were transported from a City MD on East 125th Street and Lexington Avenue by first responders wearing hazmat suits, law enforcement sources said but officials later said it was likely norovirus and not Ebola.

Officials feared Ebola infections because the patients may have had contact with an individual or individuals who traveled from Uganda and had symptoms consistent with the disease but no tests had confirmed its presence, the sources added. Early emergency notifications were that the patients may have traveled directly, the sources said.

An investigation determined the illness had spread quickly between family members, which meant it may be more likely to be norovirus, according to the sources.

“Neither patient had exposure to Ebola or other factors that would indicate risk,” Interim Commissioner of Health at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Dr. Michelle Morse wrote on X.

One of the patients was taken to Bellevue Hospital for routine testing and treatment, Morse added.

“The two patients that sought services at CityMD today DO NOT have Ebola,” Morse said.

Per WABC:

The scare happened around 11:15 a.m. on Sunday at a CityMD on East 125th Street between Lexington Avenue and Third Avenue.

According to the FDNY, the scare was a result of a possible report concerning a patient being exposed to an infectious disease. First responders on scene treated and transported two people to the hospital for further evaluation using personal protective equipment.

After consulting with New York City’s Department of Health, officials determined that neither patient had or was exposed to the Ebola virus.

NYC Health Department Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse issued the following statement in response to the incident:

“The two patients that sought services at CityMD on February 16 at 153 East 125th Street do not have Ebola. Neither patient had exposure to Ebola or other factors that would indicate risk. One patient is being taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue for routine testing and treatment. The NYC Health Department is in close communication with FDNY, CityMD and NYC Health + Hospitals.”

Meanwhile, CityMD released its own statement following the scare, saying that “For the protection of patient privacy, we do not have any comment. There is no report of any Ebola virus or exposure, consistent with what the DOH confirmed as well.”



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