Officials: Patient At OKC Hospital Does Not Have Ebola

A patient at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City, who was being monitored for possible symptoms of Ebola, is not likely to have the virus, Health Department officials confirmed Friday morning.

According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, a patient who was exhibiting possible Ebola symptoms arrived at the Deaconess Hospital Thursday night. 

Deaconess Hospital contacted the State Health Department after reporting the possibility of an Ebola patient to the CDC. 

Officials said the patient has not traveled to West Africa and has not been in contact with anyone who has the Ebola virus. The patient reportedly said they had contact with someone who visited Africa, but it was not from one of the three "hot spots."

The hospital screened the patient, and both the hospital and the CDC determined the patient has not been exposed to Ebola, and that Ebola testing was not warranted. So the patient is being taken out of isolation, and the hospital is looking for other causes of symptoms.

Deaconess Hospital released the following statement concerning the case,

"Deaconess Hospital has assessed a patient with symptoms that could be associated with Ebola. Following a careful and thorough review of the patient's symptoms, risk factors and test results, the Department of Health and the CDC have determined that the patient has not been exposed to Ebola. Erring on the side of public safety, the hospital followed all appropriate protocol set forth by the CDC and we are pleased that our staff and processes worked appropriately. The hospital appreciates the cooperation and support of public health authorities. Deaconess is dedicated to providing patients with high quality care in a safe environment."

Governor Mary Fallin issued the following statement after Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City confirmed a patient being monitored for Ebola-like symptoms was not at risk of contracting the virus. 

“I am relieved – as is everyone – that the sick patient at Deaconess Hospital is not at risk for the Ebola virus.

“My thanks go out to the staff at Deaconess for their professionalism and their preparation. Oklahoma health care professionals know that Ebola is a risk. They are trained to respond to Ebola threats, to treat Ebola patients and to isolate and contain any infectious diseases.

Today that training paid off. Hospital officials coordinated with the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control to ensure all proper protocols and safety precautions were followed. Should this have been Ebola, the disease would have been properly isolated and treated.

The state of Oklahoma has put in place a robust set of procedures in the unlikely event we do have an Oklahoman get sick with the Ebola virus. Health officials have been working non-stop with Oklahoma health care providers and entities to ensure we are ready for any potential Ebola-linked threat.”

There are currently no patients identified as Ebola threats in the state of Oklahoma.