A Dallas County sheriff's deputy who entered the apartment where the now-deceased Ebola patient stayed was hospitalized out of an "abundance of caution" Wednesday after becoming ill, officials said.
The officer, identified by multiple outlets as Sgt. Michael Monnig, was taken to urgent care in Frisco, Texas after coming into contact with family members of Thomas Eric Duncan, the man who succumbed to the deadly virus Wednesday.
A possible Ebola patient is brought to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on October 8, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. Thomas Eric Duncan, the first confirmed Ebola virus patient in the U.S., died earlier today. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Monnig came into contact with the family members when he went to their home to deliver a quarantine order.
The officer was not wearing protective gear.
A possible Ebola patient is brought to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on October 8, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. Thomas Eric Duncan, the first confirmed Ebola virus patient in the U.S., died earlier today. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Officials, nonetheless, said the deputy never came into direct contact with Duncan and stressed that he was "not experiencing all of Ebola's symptoms," only displaying "a few" indicators of a possible Ebola infection.
"The latest information we have is no definite contact, no definite symptoms" Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said.
A possible Ebola patient is brought to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on October 8, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. Thomas Eric Duncan, the first confirmed Ebola virus patient in the U.S., died earlier today. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
"We are being told that the risk is minimal," Frisco's mayor echoed, "But we are taking all precautions."
Health officials say none of the family has exhibited symptoms and wouldn't have been contagious; the disease can be spread only through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an already sick person.
Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas released a statement about the new case.
"Right now, there are more questions than answers about this case," it said. "Our professional staff of nurses and doctors is prepared to examine the patient, discuss any findings with appropriate agencies and officials."
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 08: A possible Ebola patient is brought to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on October 8, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. Thomas Eric Duncan, the first confirmed Ebola virus patient in the U.S., died earlier today. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The deputy is not among 48 people who have been monitored by health officials after having had varying degrees of contact with Duncan, and Piland said his exposure is being treated as "a low-risk event."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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