OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – An American health care worker who experienced high-risk exposure to the Ebola virus while working in Sierra Leone has arrived at a Nebraska hospital for observation.
The patient landed in Omaha this afternoon. Paramedics wearing full-body protective gear drove the patient to the Nebraska Medical Centre, which has a specialised biocontainment unit.
Dr Phil Smith, who leads the unit, says the patient is neither ill nor contagious, and that “all appropriate precautions” will be taken.
The patient will be observed for any signs of Ebola throughout the virus’ 21-day incubation period.
Three Ebola patients have been treated at the Omaha hospital. Two recovered, while one died.
The World Health Organisation says more than 8 000 people have died from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa that began about a year ago.