Suspected Ebola Cases In Massachusetts All Ruled Out, Officials Say
BOSTON (CBS) -- Massachusetts has treated patients for suspected cases of Ebola for months, but the deadly virus has been ruled out in each instance, state health officials said Friday.
Department of Public Health leaders said in a press conference that there are currently no cases of Ebola in Massachusetts, but state agencies are stepping up preparations just in case.
"Yes we've had Ebola suspects, all of them have been ruled out," said Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the medical director of Bureau of Infectious Disease Prevention, Response and Services at the state's DPH. "Many of them would only be considered a suspect in a stretch."
DeMaria said there have been concerns about Massachusetts patients possibly having Ebola since June, but no cases reached the point where they needed to be tested.
Officials stressed that Ebola is not easily transmissible, but said the Bay State is prepared in the unlikely event that the disease arrives. They also noted that if anyone with Ebola symptoms is flying into Logan International Airport, airline staff will alert public health officials on the ground.
"We are more prepared than ever before," DeMaria said. "We are ready to do the kind of monitoring and quarantining" needed if there's a case in Massachusetts.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports:
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