GLOBAL EVENTS: CLOSE CALLS AND FALSE ALARMS
Although the actual number of suspected Ebola cases globally is impossible to accurately estimate, certain high profile events must be discussed in order to enhance our understanding of the dynamics of the outbreak and the potential for its spread beyond West Africa. Occurrences associated with potential or actual appearance of Ebola outside of the primary outbreak geographic territories can be classified as either “close calls” (e.g., cases of Ebola that were treated in secondary locations and posed risk for potential viral transmission) or “false alarms” (e.g., instances where the risk of transmission was high, but individuals affected did not actually contract the virus).
Regarding “false alarms,” several high-profile instances have been publicized since the summer of 2014. Such cases usually involve individuals considered to be at high risk because of recent contact with Ebola-affected persons or travel to Ebola-affected regions.[1415161718] In one instance, 88 Indian nationals evacuated from Liberia were screened for the virus, and one patient was quarantined for fever and “sore throat.” Active surveillance was instituted for those at greatest risk of contracting Ebola and phone helpline numbers provided to those deemed at low risk of developing the disease.[19] In another case, healthcare volunteers were transferred to the United Kingdom after potential Ebola exposure in Sierra Leone.[20] In a most recent scare, a patient with Ebola-like symptoms in Birmingham, Alabama, as well as several other people who were in close contact with that individual, were quarantined because of concerns over recent travel history to high-risk areas.[21] Following negative confirmatory tests, all individuals were released from quarantine.[21]