Cameron County Department of Health Issues Statement on Ebola

In light of the recent events in Dallas, the Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services would like to express their deepest condolences to the family of Thomas Eric Duncan, who became the first person diagnosed with Ebola in the United States and passed away on October 8th.

Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services would like to let Cameron County residents know that the Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services remains vigilant in its surveillance efforts and is working closely with local hospitals and healthcare providers in its efforts to prepare and respond to any communicable disease report.

Currently, Cameron County Department of Health and Human Services has no cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) or any persons under investigation for EVD.

As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1, a person under investigation (PUI) is a person who has both consistent symptoms and risk factors as follows:

1. Clinical criteria, which includes fever of greater than 38.6 degrees Celsius or 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and additional symptoms such as severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unexplained hemorrhage; AND

2. epidemiologic risk factors within the past 21 days before the onset of symptoms, such as contact with blood or other body fluids or human remains of a patient known to have or suspected to have EVD; residence in— or travel to—an area where EVD transmission is active; or direct handling of bats or non-human primates from disease-endemic areas.

The Cameron County Health Authority, James W. Castillo II, MD, is asking the citizens of Cameron County to remain calm, but alert. Anyone with these risk factors and experiencing these symptoms should consult their medical provider for further evaluation.