The Department of Health has confirmed a patient is currently in isolation and undergoing testing in Honolulu.<\/p>\n
The Hawaii Nurses Association said the person is being treated at The Queen\u2019s Medical Center.<\/p>\n
Officials told KHON2 Ebola is a possibility, however the patient has yet to be specifically tested for the virus.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are early in the investigation of a patient \u2014 very, very early \u2014\u00a0who we\u2019re investigating that might have Ebola,\u201d said Dr. Melissa Viray, deputy state epidemiologist. \u201cIt\u2019s very possible that they do and they have Ebola. I think it\u2019s also more likely that they have another condition that presents with similar symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Viray said the patient could have a number of illnesses including Ebola, flu, malaria and typhoid.<\/p>\n
Dr. Viray wouldn\u2019t confirm any details about the patient, symptoms, or if the person had recently traveled to West Africa. But she did say red flags for Ebola include fever and recent travel to that area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy is this person being isolated?\u201d KHON2 asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019ve asked the hospitals to tell us about is anyone with a travel history, and anyone with a fever.\u00a0\u00a0And when those things come together, we\u2019ve asked them to be very careful and in an abundance of caution while you\u2019re working, for whatever else might be going on, also make sure you isolate against Ebola, just in case,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it sounds like this person does have a fever and recently traveled to West Africa,\u201d KHON2 asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgain, I can\u2019t be the one to confirm that,\u201d Dr. Viray said.<\/p>\n
The patient is currently being kept in a regular room, and anyone who goes in or out must wear protective gear, officials said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re monitoring who goes in and out of that room, and making sure that everybody is as safe as possible, while the patient is being evaluated for Ebola and what other conditions that patient might have,\u201d Dr. Viray said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould the public concerned?\u201d KHON2 asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, absolutely not. Like I said, this is a possible case we\u2019re investigating. We don\u2019t know if this is Ebola or a number of other conditions,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Health officials say it\u2019s too early to say if the person will be tested for Ebola.<\/p>\n
There are 1,400 nurses assigned to work at The Queen\u2019s Medical Center. The hospital has assured them that procedures are in place to protect them while the patient is being monitored.<\/p>\n
A message sent to all employees Wednesday said that the hospital is \u201cevaluating a patient for possible symptoms that may be consistent with Ebola.\u201d<\/p>\n
The union that represents the nurses was tipped off about the message Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Joan Craft, president of the Hawaii Nurses Association, immediately contacted the hospital for assurance that safety procedures are in place to protect her members.<\/p>\n
\u201cBlood and fluid procedures are safe, but there are a lot of contagious things you can come in contact with,\u201d she told KHON2. \u201cEbola is very frightening, but procedures are safe, and we just want to make sure everyone knows that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The HNA also wanted to make sure that if someone is pregnant or otherwise uncomfortable dealing with the patient, that he or she does not have to be involved in the monitoring of the patient.<\/p>\n
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