Possible Ebola case in Jefferson County, Mo.

News-Leader – by Brandie Piper

CRYSTAL CITY, Mo. – A possible Ebola case is being investigated at Mercy Jefferson Hospital in Crystal City.

John Winkelman, a spokesperson for the hospital, says the male patient recently returned from West Africa and was admitted to the hospital Wednesday evening.

Winkelman called the patient “low-risk,” and says he has been isolated in an area not connected to the hospital.  

The hospital is working in conjunction with the Jefferson County Health Department, Winkelman says, and they are operating by Centers for Disease Control protocols. There’s no word yet on the identity of the patient or his symptoms.

NewsChannel 5 has a call in to the Jefferson County Health Department, and we’re waiting to hear back.

Bethany Pope, media relations manager for Mercy, released the following statement:

“Mercy Hospital Jefferson is working in collaboration with the Jefferson County Health Department in the evaluation of a patient who recently returned from West Africa. The patient is considered low risk but we are taking all appropriate safety precautions, using protocols established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The patient is being isolated in a facility separate from the main hospital. A team of specially trained staff members are providing care solely to this patient. Further inquiries are directed to the county health department.”

This story will be updated as information becomes available.

http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/health/2014/11/20/possible-ebola-jefferson-county/19319779/