Q&A
Recent suspected Ebola case and DOHMH's response process
0:57:07
ยท
3 min
Dr. Michelle Morse explains the process and response to a recent suspected Ebola case in New York City, emphasizing the importance of accurate information and the department's readiness to handle such situations.
- Dr. Morse stresses the importance of media verifying information before publishing to avoid spreading inaccurate details
- DOHMH has infection doctors on call 24/7 to respond to potential public health threats
- The suspected case involved detailed questioning to determine any potential Ebola exposure
- There were no actual exposures or risk of Ebola in the incident
- The situation highlighted the importance of coordination between DOHMH, FDNY, NYSIM, and Health and Hospitals
Lynn Schulman
0:57:07
Okay, Ebola.
0:57:09
A suspected Ebola exposure at a Manhattan urgent care facility had two patients rushed to the hospital by emergency workers on Sunday.
0:57:16
First responders equipped with personal protective gear treated and transported two individuals to Bellevue Hospital for further evaluation after the FDNY consulted with DOHMH officials determined that neither patient had the Ebola virus.
0:57:31
Described the process in place that led to the determination that these individuals do not have Ebola and what steps DOHMH takes when this type of general situation occurs?
Dr. Michelle Morse
0:57:41
Thank you for the question.
0:57:42
I really want to start by saying how important it is for our colleagues in the media to verify before they publish information about things as concerning as Ebola, but really about all public health threats.
0:57:56
Unfortunately, there was a lot of confusing and inaccurate information about this particular incident that was spreading in social media and on the news that had not been verified.
0:58:10
So it was very difficult for us to get a hold of the situation and really get accurate information out there as quickly as possible.
0:58:19
So again, that's just a request to our colleagues in the media to really be rigorous about confirming information before publishing.
0:58:28
The second thing that I'll say is we are very lucky in the New York City Health Department to have infection doctors on call twenty fourseven, three sixty five days of the year.
0:58:42
And so those physicians and clinicians in the New York City Health Department, they respond any time of day, 2AM, two PM, no matter what time it is, when there is a public health threat.
0:58:55
In this particular case, the on call physician from the health department was called.
0:59:00
They did an extensive series of interviews and questions with the people who are at the center of this particular issue.
0:59:10
They had symptoms unfortunately of a GI illness, but they actually had no exposures to Ebola.
0:59:18
And that was the most important thing.
0:59:20
It takes detailed expert questioning to determine if someone has an exposure or an actual risk of being exposed to something like Ebola.
0:59:33
And that can be determined with a very detailed history based on that person's travel, not just the country they went to, but what did they do while they were in that country.
0:59:42
Where were they working?
0:59:43
Were they exposed?
0:59:44
What types of activities did they do?
0:59:46
That's what helps us to determine if there's any risk.
0:59:50
And I want to be very clear, there was no exposures and no risk, for Ebola for the two, people, in question.
1:00:00
I wish that their privacy had been protected and maintained more.
1:00:04
And I also, just again request that information be verified before it's published.
1:00:11
So to be very, very clear, there were no exposures to Ebola at all in New York City.
1:00:19
And it was a reminder of how important it is for us to coordinate with FDNY, with NYSIM, with health and health and hospitals, and with all of our colleagues and sister agencies who are part of the team that responds to public health threats and public health emergencies.
1:00:36
But again, there was no exposure to Ebola and no evidence that there is any case of Ebola in New York City.