Vital Signs: Maine patient under observation not infected with Ebola

You may have heard a little something about Ebola this week. The deadly virus, responsible for more than 4,000 deaths in West Africa, has fueled alarm in the U.S. following the diagnoses of three patients, including two Texas nurses.

A patient held for observation at Maine Medical Center in Portland brought the worry closer to home. Multiple tests confirmed the patient was not infected with the disease, according to health officials. The patient, who was at low risk for contracting the virus, was held for 24 hours as a precautionary measure after exhibiting a fever and reporting travel to a “region of concern.”

Health officials have said the risk of an Ebola outbreak in the U.S. is very low.

Patient under observation in Portland not infected with Ebola

Other top health stories this week:

Orono, Veazie parents hold silent pajama protest at water district board meeting

Parents worried about potentially harmful chemicals in their water brought their pajama-clad children to the Orono-Veazie Water District meeting Tuesday night as part of a silent protest.

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Denial, Distraction, and Being F.I.N.E.

Today I choose rigorous honesty. There’s nothing in this world worth lying to myself over.

 

Compiled by BDN Health Editor Jackie Farwell

 

 

Jackie Farwell

About Jackie Farwell

I'm the health editor for the Bangor Daily News, a Bangor native, a UMaine grad, and a weekend crossword warrior. I never get sick of writing about Maine people, geeking out over health care data, and finding new ways to help you stay well. I live in Gorham with my husband Nick and our hound dog Riley.