Update 3:03 p.m.
The Texas Department of State Health Services in Austin says negative results were returned Thursday, indicating that a Dallas County deputy does not have the Ebola virus.
Update 12:40 p.m.
This afternoon Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas said the Dallas County Sheriff Deputy who is being tested for Ebola is in “good” condition.
Michael West Monnig, a resident of The Colony, is showing no signs of fever, vomiting or diarrhea, according to a new release from the hospital.
“His current condition is NOT consistent with an early stage ebola diagnosis,” the statement said.
Texas Health Dallas’ standard laboratory testing indicates all findings are within normal ranges, officials said.
Monnig was transported to the hospital Wednesday afternoon after visiting a CareNow in Frisco.
Frisco Fire Department Chief Mark Piland, speaking at a news conference Wednesday, would not go into detail about which symptoms Monnig was showing but said they were “minus a few” from the list the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had provided for Ebola.
Those symptoms, officials said, include vomiting, high fever and diarrhea.
Piland said it appears that Monnig had no direct contact with Duncan — only contact with his apartment prior to its decontamination. Monnig was not one of the 48 individuals already being monitored for the Ebola virus, he said. Those individuals did have contact with Duncan.
The Colony Police Lt. Darren Brockway said the police have not quarantined Monnig’s residence and referred further comment to the Denton County Health Department, the lead agency in the investigation.
Calls for comment to the agency have not been returned at this time.
The statement released today from Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas said further lab testing specimens have been received in Austin and results are expected later today.
According to Dana Baird, spokeswoman for the city of Frisco, CareNow will be closed for decontamination until Friday morning.
— Megan Gray-Hatfield
FRISCO — City officials say the chances are minimal that a Dallas County Sheriff’s Department deputy who last week visited the apartment of a man diagnosed with Ebola has now contracted the deadly virus.
Michael Monnig of The Colony entered a CareNow clinic in Frisco shortly after noon on Wednesday. He complained of a stomachache and fatigue, according to a family member. He told clinic staff that he had been one of the first responders who went to the apartment of Thomas Eric Duncan, who died of Ebola Wednesday morning in a Dallas hospital. Last week, he had become the first person in the U.S. to be diagnosed with Ebola.
After going to the clinic, Monnig was then transported to a Dallas hospital after he showed possible symptoms linked to Ebola.
Frisco Fire Department Chief Mark Piland, speaking at a news conference Wednesday, would not go into detail about which symptoms Monnig was showing but said they were “minus a few” from the list the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had provided for Ebola.
Those symptoms, officials said, include vomiting, high fever and diarrhea.
Piland called Monnig’s case “low risk,” but he said public health officials are taking all the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe since the symptoms were enough to trigger a preliminary screening.
Piland said Monnig will be tested for Ebola, but the results might not be available until Friday.
“We are still in the interview process with the patient at this time,” Piland said.
Piland said it appears that Monnig had no direct contact with Duncan — only contact with his apartment prior to its decontamination. Monnig was not one of the 48 individuals already being monitored for the Ebola virus, he said. Those individuals did have contact with Duncan.
Monnig’s son, Logan Monnig, told The Dallas Morning News that his father had been monitoring his temperature since last week. Then on Wednesday morning, Michael Monnig told his family he did not feel well. Out of precaution, Monnig went to the clinic.
“We don’t want to cause a panic,” Logan Monnig said. “There is almost no chance my dad would have Ebola. He spent very little time in [Duncan’s] apartment, and he did not come in contact with Mr. Duncan or any bodily fluids.”
Frisco Mayor Maher Maso, who also spoke at the news conference, repeatedly said the “risk is minimal” and the city is in constant contact with local, county, state and federal officials to make sure they are taking all precautions necessary.
Piland said they have been in contact with Denton and Collin County health departments, as well as the Texas Department of Emergency Management.
“We were in contact with the CDC while on the scene,” Piland said.
Since the outbreak of the virus in Africa, Piland said his department has gone through training to deal with this situation and that they have “been prepared for weeks, if not months.”
The Frisco Fire Department hazardous materials and rescue units, two ambulances and the regional ambulance bus all responded to the call from CareNow. Frisco police also responded to control the scene, officials said.
Monnig was transported to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas and all medical staff and vehicles involved in his transport will be decontaminated per CDC guidelines, officials said.
According to a statement released Wednesday by the Lewisville school district, a child of Monnig’s attends The Colony High School.
“Dr. Matt Richardson, director of Denton County Health Department, has told us that there is no reason to quarantine anyone and there is no reason to close a school,” Lewisville Superintendent Stephen F. Waddell said. “Our school nurses are aware of the symptoms and protocols related to the Ebola virus.”
School district officials said they will work closely with the Denton County Health Department and will follow its directives.
“The health and safety of our students and staff remain a top priority,” Waddell said in the statement.
The city of The Colony also posted a statement on its website Wednesday, saying it is aware of the Monnig case and is following all safety procedures laid out by the Denton County Health Department.
Piland said 14 people — including staff and patients in the lobby — were inside CareNow at the time Monnig was there and they have since been released.
Late Wednesday night, officials said the CareNow clinic, located at 301 W. Main St. in Frisco, would be closed so it could be thoroughly cleaned.
Piland said he understands the concern everyone might have, but he continued to repeat the case is “low risk.”
As to why they are still taking all the safety precautions?
“We can’t afford to make mistakes,” Piland said.
The Dallas Morning News contributed to this report.
MEGAN GRAY-HATFIELD can be reached at 940-566-6885 and via Twitter at @MGrayNews.
