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Report: 2nd person in US monitored for Ebola

Posted at 12:34 PM, Oct 01, 2014
and last updated 2014-10-01 18:35:12-04

A second person in Texas is being monitored for Ebola after coming into close contact with the first person in the U.S. diagnosed, according to health officials.

USA Today cites Zachary Thompson, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, as saying health officials have the virus contained but there could be another patient diagnosed with Ebola who is a close associate of the first patient.

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control announced the a patient at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas was diagnosed with Ebola.  the patient, who left Liberia Sept. 19, became ill after arriving back in Dallas.  He was transported by ambulance and admitted to the hospital Sept. 28.

Texas health officials say the patient was in contact with several children before being hospitalized.  Those children are now being monitored, according to Thompson, and the Dallas County school district is working with health officials to ensure the safety of their students.

The CDC is observing anyone who was in contact with the patient, including three paramedics and emergency room staff.

A press conference is scheduled for noon Wednesday with Texas Gov. Rick Perry and the state's health director.