Frisco Student Arrested For Creating False Ebola Scare
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FRISCO (CBSDFW.COM) -- A high school student is in police custody after posting an article on Twitter containing inaccurate reports of Ebola cases in Frisco, Texas.
The false news article, which specifically mentioned Frisco schools, prompted multiple inquiries to the district from concerned parents. Numerous students also stayed home instead of attending class.
The news article appears to have been a doctored image from a local news site.
"We take the safety and well being of our community seriously, especially when it involves our youth," said Frisco Lieutenant Jason Jenkins. "This incident caused an unjustified fear within our community and within the Frisco Independent School District. We are proud of our officers and the Frisco ISD staff who worked fast to prove it was false."
♦♦♦Complete Coverage Of Ebola In Dallas♦♦♦
The district responded on Thursday, saying that there is no reason to believe students in the district are at an increased health risk.
"Despite false information circulating in social media, there is no indication of a connection between any FISD schools and the Dallas patient."
Thomas Eric Duncan remains in serious condition at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas.
Federal and Texas health officials are reaching out to about 100 people to determine if they have had contact with the patient.
Five Dallas ISD students from five different campuses were forced to stay home and are under observation after a possible exposure to the Ebola virus. DISD Superintendent Mike Miles says that school attendance at the five schools dropped from 95 to 86 percent on Thursday.
Frisco is located 25 miles north of Dallas.
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