Official Dallas heaved a public sigh of relief Friday, marking the last day when anybody local would be screened for Ebola symptoms. But some in the community are staying focused on West Africa, where the infection continues.
“We are a global community, and until it is resolved for everyone it is not resolved for anyone,” said Cindy Wiles, executive director of Restore Hope, an Arlington-based ministry that will be hosting a food-packing event Sunday, with volunteers boxing 10,000 meals bound for Sierra Leone.
The World Health Organization released a new estimate for the toll of the illness in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone: About 5,000 known dead and more than 13,000 known infections. The actual numbers are probably higher. And while new cases may be declining in Liberia and Guinea, there’s no indication the pace has slowed in Sierra Leone.
For North Texas, however, the spotlight was finally off. All total, 177 people had been monitored for the disease after possibly coming into contact with one of three Dallas patients. None contracted Ebola. The Texas health department signaled the all-clear with a tweet early Friday evening:
“It’s official. This evening’s final monitoring check is done. No symptoms. We are happy to close this Ebola chapter with Dallas tonight.”
No celebrations
From Sept. 30, the day that Thomas Eric Duncan became the first person whose Ebola diagnosis was confirmed in America, others who had been in contact with him had been checked for possible symptoms.
The contact list expanded when two of Duncan’s nurses, Nina Pham and Amber Vinson, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas also developed the illness.
The last one came off the list Friday — 21 days after that person might have had contact with the bodily fluids of someone with Ebola. The official statements were careful not to sound celebratory. After all, Duncan died Oct. 8.
“It’s been a challenge, and there have been moments of frustration throughout this difficult process. But the city’s plan and its steadfast commitment to early detection and proper monitoring played a key role in stopping the spread of the virus,” said a statement released by Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. “And I’m especially thankful to all the brave health care workers who put their lives on the line to help others, including Nina Pham and Amber Vinson, who are true heroes in this city and around the world.”
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins had gotten a head start on the official statements Thursday evening: “Thanksgiving comes early to Dallas County because … we are Ebola-free.”
A hug from Bush
Friday’s splashiest media moment was surely a visit from former President George W. Bush to Presbyterian, where he was greeted by Vinson, one of the two nurses who have since recovered. Bush is no stranger to the hospital; he had heart surgery there last year.
Upon being introduced, Bush gave Vinson a kiss on the forehead and a big hug.
“You look great,” he said. “It’s nice of you to be here to say hi to your buds.”
“I miss these guys so much,” Vinson said. “They are the best.”
Pham sent out a tweet: “Dallas is officially #Ebola free today! So grateful to all the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers that were involved in my care.”
The hospital’s official statement included support for the staff and regrets for Duncan’s death:
“These two courageous nurses, and so many others, put the needs of a patient first and valiantly worked to save the life of a man who faced, and ultimately lost, his battle with this disease. Today we remember and honor him, and his family remains in our hearts and prayers.”
Obama weighs in
Also on Friday, President Barack Obama made a conference call to Texas officials, including Gov. Rick Perry, Texas Health Commissioner Dr. David Lakey, Jenkins and Rawlings. Obama called them “true and indispensable partners.”
Later, Perry’s office said the governor had asked why state officials had not been contacted by the administration’s so-called Ebola czar, Ron Klain; pushed Texas A&M’s application to manufacture ZMapp, an Ebola treatment; and asked for more “streamlined and accurate” information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the event of future Ebola cases.
One other American diagnosed in this country with Ebola, Dr. Craig Spencer, is still in Bellevue Hospital in New York City. According to news reports, he’s been feeling well enough to play a banjo and ride an exercise bike.
Also Friday, the U.S. military command identified bases where soldiers who work in West Africa will be quarantined for 21 days upon return. Fort Hood and Fort Bliss in Texas are on the list.
Back in Arlington, Wiles’ focus was on Sierra Leone. Her organization, based at First Baptist Church of Arlington, has 22 employees there and has been active in that country since 2008. Her hope is that local and American support for countries still battling Ebola will not wane now that the illness is largely gone from the United States.
“Like Christ, we need to exercise compassion and healing and concern for people, and through that we will experience his love,” she said.
Staff writer Tom Benning and Washington Bureau Chief Todd J. Gillman contributed to this report.
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