At least one confirmed Ebola patient is here at this Lake Highlands area hospital.
A Dallas ISD representative today says that five students in various DISD schools may have had contact with the man who recently was diagnosed with the Ebola virus. We also have learned that the Ebola patient, now identified as Thomas Eric Duncan, was transported to Presbyterian hospital from a Vickery Meadow area home (Vickery Meadow is a close neighbor of Lake Highlands).
Students from the following schools may have been exposed: Emmett J. Conrad High School (map) and Sam Tasby Middle School (those are in the Vickery Meadow area, flanking Lake Highlands), L.L. Hotchkiss Elementary School (a DISD school north of Northwest Highway near Skillman, closer to the Lake Highlands area) and Dan D. Rogers Elementary (in East Dallas).
“The impacted students currently are not showing symptoms and are under close observation by the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department. As a precautionary measure, the students have been advised to stay home from school. Since the students are not presenting any symptoms, there is nothing to suggest that the disease was spread to others including students and staff,” note school officials.
Individuals are not contagious until symptoms appear, say health officials. “Because of this, there is no imminent danger to children in the school district.”
The Ebola patient, not identified, was transported to Presbyterian Hospital on Walnut Hill from an apartment complex in the 75231 zip code.
Some news outlets are reporting that a second patient is experiencing signs of the virus.
Dallas ISD notes that the district is in regular communication with the Centers for Disease Control, the City of Dallas, and Dallas County Health and Human Services. Updates will be provided as they are received.
A recorded hotline is being established to provide any updates on this situation. The number for this hotline is 972.925.5810. In addition, the district has created a web page where information will be updated as it becomes available. http://www.dallasisd.org/healthupdates
Read up on the Ebola virus here. And, while it is good to remain vigilant, it is also not good to freak out, so also read this piece from The Week about why you probably won’t catch Ebola, even if you happened to shake hands with America’s ‘patient zero’.
Finally, I have reached out to Richardson ISD to ask about any possible CDC action there, and I will update when I know something. Update: Richardson ISD has confirmed that the Dallas County Health and Human Services has informed them that there is no indication of a connection between any RISD schools and the case they are investigating.
