A man who just came back from West Africa and entered a Manhattan hospital to get treated for the same symptoms suffered by Ebola patients has set New York City on edge, awaiting his test results in somewhat of a state of panic.
“It’s scary — very, very scary,” said Lily Ayala, 58, who lives across the street from the Mount Sinai Hospital where the man was tested, the New York Post reported. “It’s contagious, and people out here don’t know about it. It’s bad because everyone just sits in the ER together. If you’re going to get it, you’re going to get it right there.”
The man was not identified by name, but his symptoms were high fever and gastrointestinal distress, the New York Post reported. He was placed in “strict isolation,” hospital officials said, adding that his test results are due Tuesday or Wednesday.
Still, hospital officials said to keep calm — it’s very unlikely that the man carries the virus.
“It’s much more likely that it’s a much more common condition, and we’re ruling those things out as well,” Mount Sinai Chief Medical Officer Jeremy Boal said, the New York Post reported.
Ebola symptoms include fever, red eyes, diarrhea, vomiting and internal bleeding. The virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids — not by simply coughing or sneezing.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.