WASHINGTON – Hundreds have died of a lethal killing virus in Africa in recent days, and now at least two persons who have contracted the deadly Ebola virus are coming to the United States.
The State Department, together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is facilitating a medical evacuation for two U.S. citizens who have been infected by Ebola in West Africa.
“The safety and security of U.S. citizens is our paramount concern,” the U.S. State Department said Friday, August 1. “Every precaution is being taken to move the patients safely and securely, to provide critical care en route on a non-commercial aircraft, and to maintain strict isolation upon arrival in the United States.”
The World Health Organization, in partnership with the Ministries of Health in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Nigeria announced a cumulative total of 1,323 suspect and confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) and 729 deaths, as of July 27, 2014. Of the 1,323 clinical cases, 909 cases have been laboratory confirmed for Ebola virus infection.
The State department said the evacuations will take place over the coming days. “CDC protocols and equipment are used for these kinds of medical evacuations so that they are carried out safely, thereby protecting the patient and the American public, as has been done with similar medical evacuations in the past,” a State Department spokeswoman explained.
Upon arriving in the United States, the patients will be taken to medical facilities with appropriate isolation and treatment capabilities.
Because of privacy considerations, the State Department would not confirm the names or other specific details of the particular cases of the infected U.S. citizens.
The Guinean Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Liberia, and the Nigerian Ministry of Health are working with national and international partners to investigate and respond to the outbreak.
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