A man was admitted to be tested for the deadly Ebola virus at The Mount Sinai Hospital's Emergency Department in New York City early Monday. The male patient was said to be exhibiting symptoms similar with those of Ebola virus inflicted patients. Upon learning of his condition, doctors and hospital staff placed him under strict quarantine within seven minutes of his arrival.
According to Mount Sinai Hospital President and Chief Operating Officer Dr. David Reich, the patient "was promptly isolated and placed in a strict isolation facility".
In addition, Reich confidently declared that "we could protect patient and also any staff and other patients in the facility and all visitors".
The man was confined in the early morning hours Monday. He was said to have recently traveled to a West African country. At present, the sick man is being tested for the Ebola virus following his confinement.
According to spokespersons from the hospital, the patient was said to be suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as ailing from a high fever.
Due to the possible consequences that can follow if the man is indeed proven to be afflicted with the deadly Ebola virus, doctors are working tirelessly to finally settle distressing concerns raised by the community. Test results and confirmation from Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta would take 48 to 72 hours.
Mount Sinai Medical Chief Dr. Jeremy Boal, however, attempted to ease the public's apprehension over this issue.
From his initial examination of the patient's symptoms and condition, Dr. Boal believes that these syndromes might indicate another disease. He thinks that the patient's illness is a more common condition, which merely resembles the symptoms of the Ebola virus.
"But using an abundance of caution, we're going to work carefully with the CDC to make certain this person does not have the Ebola virus," he clarified.
Studies reveal that symptoms of Ebola include fever, vomiting, severe headaches, and muscular pain. In the final stages of the condition, the patient suffers from profuse bleeding.
To date, at least six people returning from West Africa excursions and experiencing Ebola-like symptoms have been tested for possible infection from the virus. No result has returned positive.
