The Kaiser Permanente hospital in South Sacramento, California, is seen in this undated file photo
Doctors at the Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center took a blood sample from the patient that was subsequently sent by the Sacramento County Public Health Laboratory to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
It will take several days to get the results and to determine whether the patient, who may have been exposed to Ebola, has the virus, according to a statement from the Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services.
In a statement, Dr. Stephen M. Parodi, infectious diseases specialist at Kaiser, said the patient is being kept in isolation in a specially equipped negative pressure room, and staff are using protective equipment. The health provider released no other details, including whether the patient had recently traveled to a west African nation or whether there were symptoms of the virus.
"The safety of our members, patients and staff is our highest priority. Our physicians and infectious disease experts are working closely with local and state public health agencies to monitor developments and share information," Parodi said in a statement.
Comment: No one doubts that Ebola is a scary threat and containment and abatement of the disease are of utmost importance. If or when it crosses into countries such as Myanmar, with scant ability to treat common illnesses, there is a multiplier effect - a perfect storm in the making. Moving faster? Scale vastly underestimated? Pay attention folks!