Early Friday morning, Phoenix Fire responded to a 911 call from a returning traveler from Sierra Leone who, after arriving in Maricopa County on Wednesday, began experiencing gastrointestinal issues early Friday morning. As part of its infectious disease response protocol, Phoenix Fire HazMat responded, as did representatives from state and county health.
Upon assessment of the individual, it was decided to transport the patient to the Maricopa Integrated Health System for further testing. The patient is currently clinically improving and further testing has confirmed an alternate diagnosis. “With this alternate diagnosis, it makes all of us feel much better that we have another clinical reason as to what made this person ill,” said Dr. Robert Fromm, chief medical officer for MIHS, recently designated as an Infectious Disease Treatment Center of Excellence.
“This patient’s low risk level along with his clinical presentation to MIHS is not consistent with Ebola; however, out of an abundance of caution, and only because of his travel history, we agreed with county health that we should go ahead and test the patient for Ebola,” Dr. Robert Fromm continued. “Even with the alternate diagnosis, results are now pending at the Arizona State Laboratory (ASL) and should be available later today. This has been a good exercise for all of our partners and we are thrilled to hear from MIHS that the patient has an alternate diagnosis. All protocols have been followed and although we are still awaiting the labs from ASL, we know that this person is at very low risk for contracting Ebola. The patient did not have direct contact with Ebola patients nor did the patient attend any funeral services.”
Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director for disease control for Maricopa County Public Health said, “In addition, it is important to remember, that because this patient was not symptomatic in flight, there is no risk to anyone who flew with this patient nor did he expose anyone in Maricopa County,” Sunenshine continued. Currently, there is a system in place to actively monitor all individuals who enter the US from Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and now Mali. All travelers are placed into risk categories (Low Risk, Some Risk and High Risk) and their names and risk categories are passed along to state and local public health. Local public health then follows up and monitors individuals twice a day for 21 days.
The Arizona State Lab Negative for Ebola were released at 4:30 p.m. November 28. The patient will continue to be monitored for 21 days by Maricopa County Public Health per CDC protocol for return travelers.