New York Doc Tests Positive for Ebola

A physician from Doctors Without Borders, who returned to New York City after helping Ebola victims in West Africa, has tested positive for the virus, according to New York Times on Thursday.

Physician Craig Spencer, 33, reportedly developed fever and gastrointestinal symptoms after working for the humanitarian organization in Guinea.

Guinea was among the three West African nations hardest hit by the virus.

Spencer was reportedly transported to Bellevue Hospital by a specially trained team wearing protective gear.

The first confirmed case in America’s largest city set off renewed fears about the spread of the virus, which has killed nearly 4,900 people, largely in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, report said.

The first person diagnosed with Ebola on US soil flew from Liberia to Texas and later died in a Dallas hospital while the two nurses who treated him became infected with the virus.

A spokeswoman for the mayor said she could not confirm or deny the report and declined to comment ahead of the news conference, report said. It added that further test will be conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to confirm the initial test.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo planned a news conference at the hospital for 9 p.m. ET (0100 GMT).

Earlier on Thursday, De Blasio said that Spencer had been in direct contact with “very few” people.

Source: GMA News Online

Image Credit: www.nbcnewyork.com