Asecond confirmed case of Ebola transmission in Dallas emphasizes the need for local, state and federal health officials to ramp up efforts to review hospital treatment procedures and eliminate opportunities for error.
Both victims, Nina Pham and Amber Vinson, are nurses who were involved in caring for Thomas Eric Duncan, the Liberian man who became the first person diagnosed with the deadly virus in the United States. Duncan was admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas on Sept. 28 and died Oct. 8.
Officials said Wednesday that Pham’s condition was improving and that Vinson would be moved to Atlanta, where two American health care workers who contracted the disease in West Africa were treated successfully earlier this year.
Officials who organized an early morning press conference Wednesday to discuss the latest diagnosis called both women heroes and praised them for dedicating their lives to serving others. We agree and urge officials in all area hospitals to waste no time in making sure that treatment protocols are sufficient to ensure that victims can be treated without further risk to those who provide the care and treatment.
Federal health officials on Monday urged the nation’s hospitals to “think Ebola” and launch such a review immediately, and we hope that their directives are being followed in Denton and across the nation.
Officials reiterated during Wednesday’s press conference that people cannot contract Ebola unless they come into direct contact with someone who is experiencing Ebola symptoms and that the disease does not spread until a patient develops a fever or other symptoms, such as vomiting or diarrhea.
However, this week’s events make it abundantly clear that our hospitals and public health officials cannot afford any missteps in dealing with possible Ebola victims. News reports Wednesday stated that health care workers treating Duncan may not have worn protective suits until tests confirmed he had the disease. Hospital officials still don’t know for sure how nurses Pham and Vinson contracted the virus.
We have also watched as the number of people who are being monitored for symptoms of Ebola continues to grow. In addition to Vinson and Pham, officials said at least 75 other hospital workers are being monitored for symptoms of Ebola.
Other precautions may also be necessary. Officials said Vinson traveled to Cleveland on Friday to visit her mother and fiance in preparation for her wedding, returning to Dallas on Monday. Although they said passengers on her flight were at extremely low risk of being exposed, they also urged closer monitoring and controlled travel for individuals with exposure.
Officials continue to monitor family members and friends who came into contact with Duncan before he was admitted to the hospital. As of Wednesday, none of those people, including five Dallas school district students, have exhibited any signs or symptoms of the Ebola virus. Symptoms are typically seen within 21 days of exposure, a period of time that ends Sunday for people in contact with Duncan before his diagnosis.
Officials said Wednesday that they expect to see more Ebola cases, and while we hope they are wrong, logic tells us otherwise. That means that every medical care facility, from hospital emergency rooms to community clinics, needs to be prepared to take action.
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said at Wednesday’s press conference that the only way we are going to beat Ebola is person by person, moment by moment, detail by detail, and we believe he’s right.
If we are willing to change our habits, refine our procedures and work together, we can end the threat posed by this disease.
We have successfully worked to eliminate other health threats, and this one can also be defeated.
