Second US Ebola Case As Health Worker Tests Positive After Contact With Victim Thomas Duncan

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital

A health care worker in Texas who cared for the Ebola patient Thomas Duncan has tested positive for the deadly virus in a preliminary test, health officials say.

The worker at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital helped to look after Thomas Eric Duncan, who died on Wednesday in Dallas after being the first person diagnosed with Ebola in the US.

Dr David Varga, of the Texas Health Resource, said the healthcare worker was in full protective gear when they provided care to Mr Duncan during his second visit to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. Continue...

He did not identify the worker, who is in a stable condition, and said the family of the worker have "requested total privacy".

A statement posted on the Texas Department of State Health Service's website Sunday says "confirmatory testing will be conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta."

Officials say the health care worker reported a low grade fever Friday night and was isolated and referred for testing. Preliminary test results were received late Saturday.

David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, says officials have "been preparing for this possibility."

Health officials have interviewed the patient and are identifying any contacts or potential exposures.

Source: The Huffington Post