RI Department of Health Releases Ebola Update
GoLocalProv Health Team
RI Department of Health Releases Ebola Update
Monitoring travelers
On October 17th the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) started conducted daily post-arrival monitoring of travelers to Rhode Island whose travel originated in Liberia, Sierra Leone, or Guinea.
Travelers from these countries are arriving in the United States through one of five airports. Seven individuals are currently being monitored in Rhode Island.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMonitoring will continue for the 21 days after individuals’ last possible exposure to Ebola. (Twenty-one days is the longest time it can take from the time a person is infected with Ebola until that person has symptoms of Ebola.)
The following information is being monitored daily:
Temperature;
The presence or absence of other Ebola symptoms, such as headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, lack of appetite, or abnormal bleeding;
Additional travel plans
Call-in Panel
HEALTH and WJAR NBC 10 partnered on an Ebola call-in panel on October 23rd from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Rhode Islanders called in and asked doctors questions about Ebola. Michael Fine, M.D., Director of Health, and three other physicians from HEALTH sat on the panel.
Lights for Africa – Candle Light Vigil
Lights for Africa, a candle light vigil, will take place on October 29th from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Rhode Island Statehouse. The vigil is being organized by the Ebola-Be-Gone campaign. More information is available here.
Additional Rhode Island Resources
Calendar of other community events related to Ebola
Information about Ebola
National Updates
The CDC provides updates on its 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa webpage.
Key Messages for Rhode Island
To date, no one has become infected with Ebola within the state of Rhode Island. Since August 2014, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) Division of Infectious Disease & Epidemiology has investigated a number of healthcare providers’ reports of possible Ebola cases, and through consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), screening, and testing, HEALTH has ruled out all patients as cases.
In Rhode Island, only people who have been in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone in the past three weeks are at risk of developing Ebola. Even if someone has relatives in Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone, they are NOT at risk for developing Ebola if they have not traveled to one of these countries in the past three weeks.
The Ebola outbreaks in Senegal and Nigeria are now considered over.
There is specific guidance available for people coming here from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone about monitoring their temperatures.
People are not contagious until they show symptoms.
You CAN'T get Ebola through:
- Casual contact with someone who has no symptoms of the disease
- Air
- Water
- Food in the U.S.
The Ebola outbreak is an evolving process. Healthcare workers, the CDC, and others are learning how best to respond. We are expanding our response to meet the needs. There will be changes and adjustments as we go.
Contacting the Rhode Island Department of Health about Ebola
The general public: 401-222-8022
Healthcare providers: 401-222-2577; 401-272-5952 (after hours)
Timeline of Ebola in the US
October 17
Nurses Union Says RI Not Prepared for Ebola
The United Nurses and Allied Professionals are concerned that Rhode Island is not prepared to deal with a possible Ebola outbreak.
The UNAP will announce will announce the results of an internal survey of members meant to gauge Rhode Island’s Ebola Virus response capabilities on Monday, according to union president Linda McDonald, RN.
“As the voice of frontline caregivers, we remain very concerned about Rhode Island’s level of preparedness to respond to the Ebola virus,” McDonald said.
“While political leaders are assuring the public that our state is ready, those of us who work in Emergency Rooms and at hospital bedsides are beginning to tell a very different story. Our members are raising serious concerns about a lack of training, uniform protocol and access to appropriate protective equipment for health care professionals,” McDonald said.
July 31
Ebola Outbreak: How Prepared is Rhode Island?
On this date, over 700 recent Ebola-related deaths in West Africa had been confirmed, making it the deadliest outbreak in the history of the disease.
Listen to the News Radio 920 report here.
August 1
Are RI Hospitals Ready for an Ebola Outbreak?
Rhode Island Hospital and South County Hospital begins to take the threat of Ebola seriously and implements proper protocol for dealing with patients exhibiting Ebola-like symptoms.
August 2
Dr. Kent Brantly Arrives in the US
The first confirmed case of Ebola in the US, Dr. Kent Brantly, arrives at Emory University Hospital for experimental treatment after contracting the virus in Liberia.
August 4
Nancy Writebol Arrives in the US
The second Ebola victim arrives at Emory University Hospital for experimental Zmapp treatment. Writebol contracted the virus in Liberia while working for the charity Samaritan’s Purse.
August 15
Director of Health Warns of Ebola Threat in Rhode Island
Dr. Michael Fine, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH), said that the possibility of Ebola coming to Rhode Island is "very real," but says he believes that Rhode Island is well-prepared -- and that his major concerns right now are for the outbreak West Africa.
Photo: CDC
September 9
Dr. Richard Sacra, Central Massachusetts Doctor Arrives in the US
The third American to be infected with Ebola arrives at University of Nebraska Medical Center to receive a blood plasma infusion.
Photo: University of Massachusetts Medical School
September 25
Central MA Doctor Successfully Treated for Ebola Hospitalized
Central Massachusetts doctor Richard Sacra – who was successfully treated for Ebola in Nebraska – is back in the hospital with what appears to be a respiratory infection.
October 3
Providence Resident is 4th American with Ebola
The fourth American to contract the Ebola virus is a Providence resident - Ashoka Mukpo.
Photo source: Facebook
October 3
Ebola Infected Rhode Islander to be Treated in Nebraska
Providence resident Ashoka Mukpo, the fourth American to contract the Ebola virus will be treated in Nebraska, according to Rhode Island Department of Health's Chief Officer of Health Promotion Christina Batastini.
"Mukpo will not be treated at a Rhode Island hospital. He is being flown to University of Nebraska Medical Center,"said Batastini.
October 11
Ebola Concerns: Central MA Nurses Demand Higher Standards
Nina Pham, from Texas Presbyterian Hospital, is the first nurse to be diagnosed with Ebola sparking the need to take further precautions among healthcare professionals everywhere.
October 13
Ebola Update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided an Ebola update to media on Monday, focusing on the latest case in Dallas, Texas.
Confirming the first case of Ebola contracted in America by a nurse caring for the "Dallas index patient" at Texas Presbyterian Hospital tested positive for Ebola, CDC Director Dr. Thomas Friedan said the nurse is "being cared for and is clinically stable," and referred any other questions on the patient's safety to the hospital.
October 14
Five Removed from Flight in Logan
Five passengers have been removed from a flight from Dubai by Emergency Response personel according to Tweets from passengers on the plane now grounded at Logan. None of the passengers had been to West Africa, but Massport will continue to be vigilant in disease prevention and screening.
October 15
Second Confirmed Case of Ebola Infection Originating in America
The CDC has confirmed that another employee of the Texas Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas has contracted the Ebola virus, making this the second confirmed case originating in the US.
