Hawaiʻi Health Officials Rule Out Ebola After Investigation

Ebola. Image courtesy US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

By Maui Now Staff

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health has determined that the individual in isolation at a Honolulu hospital who was reported to the department as a possible Ebola case yesterday, does not meet the criteria for testing.

State Health officials say the individual is no longer under evaluation for possible Ebola infection.

“The hospital acted in the best interests of the community, with an abundance of caution,” said Health Director Dr. Linda Rosen in a department press release.

“We commend the facility for being prepared and remaining vigilant regarding the risk of Ebola. After investigation by the health department, it was determined that the individual did not meet the clinical or travel exposure criteria for an Ebola infection,” said Dr. Rosen.

Department officials say that with the nation on heightened alert for possible Ebola cases, physicians are reminded to follow the guidelines established by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further information on Ebola infection is available at the CDC website.

According to the CDC, symptoms of Ebola include: fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F; severe headache; muscle pain; weakness; diarrhea; vomiting; abdominal (stomach) pain; and unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising).

The agency says symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure, but the average is 8 to 10 days.

Recovery from Ebola, the CDC says, depends on the patient’s immune response.