PUTNAM COUNTY, Ohio (WOWO): Health officials in Ohio are monitoring more than 100 people following the visit by a Dallas nurse who tested positive for Ebola shortly after returning to Texas from the Cleveland area.
Ohio has stepped up its Ebola quarantine protocols to include travel restrictions for the 153 residents under surveillance for the deadly disease. Enhanced protocols issued last night urge those under daily monitoring not to leave their health department's jurisdiction unless the health district where they're traveling consents and agrees to perform monitoring.
The Ohio Department of Health says 14 counties have seven or less contacts, including in Putnam County, Ohio.
Health Commissioner Mary Ann Myers said, “We believe there was no direct contact as defined by ODH parameters. The residents of Putnam County can be assured that our department is staying in constant contact with all involved parties, including health officials from ODH and CDC, to ensure the safety of our residents. We believe the risk to the Putnam County community is very low. All those being monitored in Putnam County are health and symptom free.”
Those who are self-reporting are urged not to travel outside the U.S.