The latest Ebola monitoring has shifted from air travel to the open seas after a Dallas health care worker is reportedly under self-imposed quarantine aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean.
The female worker is thought to have processed lab specimens of Ebola sufferer Thomas Eric Duncan who died in Dallas, but 19 days on, has shown no signs of contracting the virus.
She is currently being monitored by the ship medical team for any signs of infection.
The Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital employee and partner boarded the ship October 12 in Galveston before the CDC updated its rules on active monitoring for health care workers.
"The cruise line has actively supported CDC’s efforts to speak with the individual, whom the cruise ship’s medical doctor has monitored and confirmed was in good health. Following this examination, the hospital employee and traveling partner have voluntarily remained isolated in a cabin," said State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
A local Belize TV station said it had ‘credible reports’ that the Belize government refused permission for the passenger and her partner to come ashore in order to be airlifted back to the US.
