Ebola case now confirmed in Dallas

[kato13]

OK this may be bad. (It is only a preliminary test so far)

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ebola-virus-outbreak/texas-health-care-worker-tests-positive-ebola-n223946

It is still in the realm of healthcare workers who had direct contact which is a plus compared to the deputy, but if confirmed it is the first case of an infection on US soil.

[Cdnwolf]

Possible one in Brooklyn now. Slowly getting my survival gear updated. Looking at my country I predict Toronto will have the first case in Canada.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2788995/ebola-brooklyn-teen-rushed-hospital-showing-symptoms-deadly-virus-following-trip-sudan-lied-officials-sick-fly-home.html#ixzz3FqcgSyqL

[Cdnwolf]

Ahh the good old USA.

[kato13]

Second healthcare worker at the Dallas hospital tests positive.

http://www.breitbart.com/system/wire/ap_ab3cd5a9b32c450aa5a13e1a4a14c60e

Once you have the second of something the assumption that the first was a fluke goes out the window.

The one positive that can be wrought from this is it is still in the realm of people in contact with someone with full blown symptoms when bodily fluids have their highest virus loads.

[Cdnwolf]

Second healthcare worker at the Dallas hospital tests positive.

http://www.breitbart.com/system/wire/ap_ab3cd5a9b32c450aa5a13e1a4a14c60e

Once you have the second of something the assumption that the first was a fluke goes out the window.

The one positive that can be wrought from this is it is still in the realm of people in contact with someone with full blown symptoms when bodily fluids have their highest virus loads.

Patient left in open area

In a conference call late Tuesday, the nation's largest nurses' union described how the patient, Duncan, was left in an open area of the emergency room for hours. National Nurses United, citing unnamed nurses, said staff treated Duncan for days without the correct protective gear, that hazardous waste was allowed to pile up to the ceiling and safety protocols constantly changed.

RoseAnn DeMoro, executive director of Nurses United, refused to say how many nurses made the statement about Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, but insisted they were in a position to know what happened.

A total of 76 people at the hospital might have been exposed to Duncan, and all of them are being monitored for fever and other symptoms daily, Frieden said. Nurse Nina Pham contracted the virus while caring for Duncan. Health officials are monitoring 48 others who had some contact with Duncan before he was admitted the hospital where he died. The Associated Press reported Monday that Pham was among about 70 hospital staffers who were involved in Duncan's care after he was hospitalized, based on medical records provided by his family.

From a CBC report.

[Cdnwolf]

The second health care worker to test positive for*Ebola*in Dallas traveled by air the day before*presenting symptoms and being isolated, the CDC announced Wednesday.

[stormlion1]

So possible contamination in a airplane seat, anywhere that nurse touched in the airplane, two full airports full of people, and wherever they traveled before and after. Yup, possible epidemic in the making. Time to stop fist bumping people without gloves on.

[Targan]

Still no cause for general panic. I regard the likelihood of a full-blown Ebola epidemic occurring in a country with first-world healthcare as miniscule. I think you could have a lot of damage from unchecked public panic though.

[kato13]

I think it is too early to say.

From a strictly math perspective you have one infection leading to 2 secondary infections. If that trend continues humanity is doomed.

Of course things are not that simple. Generally I am not concerned as the secondary infections seem to come from high virus load environments. Countering that is fact that the Government and the CDC have been wrong at just about every turn so far. (I love the fact that they say you can give someone the infection on a bus, but you cannot catch it on one. Link)

I don't see "panic" being a danger either, but if we see a secondary infection come from the airline flight, then the economic impact could be enormous if people start to avoid public places.

[Cdnwolf]

And then you have this....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2794854/what-thinking-mystery-man-without-hazmat-suit-seen-helping-2nd-ebola-nurse-board-plane-atlanta-joining-them.html

[.45cultist]

When it comes to airborne transmission Ebola's mutation rate makes it the "room full of monkeys with typewriters". Today is transportation systems makes this worse. While not time to panic, storm supplies might need to be expanded if one believes a quarantine is likely for thier area.

[Cdnwolf]

When it comes to airborne transmission Ebola's mutation rate makes it the "room full of monkeys with typewriters". Today is transportation systems makes this worse. While not time to panic, storm supplies might need to be expanded if one believes a quarantine is likely for their area.

And make sure you have hard copies made of all your favorite games and plenty of dice in case you are stuck someplace for a long time.

[Olefin]

Alll comes down to whether countries are willing to do what is needed if it does come to a large scale outbreak - which is to curtail transportation and quarantine ruthlessly if need be.

And I dont see the current governments in the US and Europe having that "gumption" to stand up and do that before things get very very bad - and possibly too late.

[Olefin]

Surprised yet that I havent heard any news outlet mention the Tom Clancy book "Executive Orders" about an ebola outbreak in the US - shows that most aren't really that well read.

[kato13]

Well that was a bioterrorism incident in the book so the connection is not really there. I'm surprised the non fiction "The Hot Zone" has not gotten more attention.

The chapter of the book where an infected passenger starts to disintegrate on an airplane is the stuff of nightmares.

http://www.richardpreston.net/books/hz_excerpt.html