Thomas Eric Duncan, the first patient in the United States to be diagnosed with the Ebola virus within the country brought himself to the emergency room last week, apparently already experiencing the early symptoms of the disease, but he was released from the hospital and sent home despite having informed the attending nurse that he had just return to the country after traveling to Liberia.
According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director, "A travel history was taken, but it wasn't communicated to the people who were making the decision... It was a mistake. They dropped the ball." He added that, "You don't want to pile on them, but hopefully this will never happen again. The [CDC] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been vigorously emphasizing the need for a travel history."
In an earlier statement, the hospital in question, the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, issued a statement saying that the patient came into the emergency room but was not observed to have any of the symptoms suggesting that he needed to be hospitalized. They, however, acknowledged that the information about his travel history was not effectively communicated to the appropriate channels. A representative from the hospital said that, "At that time, the patient presented with low-grade fever and a domino pain. His condition did not warrant admission. He also was not exhibiting symptoms specific to Ebola." The patient was given a prescription for antibiotics and was advised to return after three days for a follow-up appointment. It was only upon his return that hospital staff worked out that he was infected with the Ebola virus.
The hospital spokesperson said that they snapped right into action after that saying, "The hospital followed all suggested CDC protocols at that time. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas' staff is thoroughly trained in infection control procedures and protocols."
The CDC has already assured the American public that they are confident that they will be able to stop the spread of the Ebola virus within the US.