Update 4 p.m. ET: The test results for this patient came back negative for Ebola infection. He does not have Ebola.
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The Texas man who was transported to a Dallas hospital after visiting a health clinic, where he said he had some contact with the family of the first U.S. diagnosed Ebola patient, is not showing symptoms that would indicate he has the virus, officials said Thursday.
According to WFAA-TV, Dallas County Sgt. Michael Monnig, who is being evaluated at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, is still waiting for formal Ebola testing results to come back, but it does not appear that he contracted the viral disease.
A patient transported from Frisco, TX with concerns of possible exposure to Ebola arrives at the Emergency Room entrance of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas in Dallas, TX on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014. (AP/The Dallas Morning News, Louis DeLuca)
Monnig told a Frisco, Texas, health clinic Wednesday that he had entered the apartment where the Liberian man, who flew to the U.S. before exhibiting Ebola symptoms, stayed. Monnig apparently entered the apartment with health officials, none of whom were wearing protective gear, when they were serving four people a quarantine order to remain in the apartment without visitors. The patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, at this point had been transported to the hospital but he became infectious while staying at the apartment.
Duncan died early Wednesday from the viral disease.
"Mr. Monnig's condition is good with no fever, no vomiting, no diarrhea reported. His current condition is NOT consistent with an early stage Ebola diagnosis. Texas Health Dallas' standard laboratory testing indicates all findings are within normal ranges. Further lab testing specimens have been received in Austin and results are expected later today," Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, which also cared for Duncan, told WFAA Thursday afternoon.
Further monitoring of the patient transported to Dallas continued to suggest he likely did not have Ebola. Formal tests should come back Thursday. (AP/The Dallas Morning News, Louis DeLuca)
A health official added that because Monnig's exposure was not directly with Duncan, it is unlikely he has the virus.
"The risk is extremely low because this individual didn't have contact with the Ebola patient, but we want to err on the side of caution," Texas Health Commissioner Dr. David Lakey said in a statement. "We understand there's a lot of anxiety in the community, and we hope getting test results back will help calm those fears."
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids.
Christopher Dyer, president of the Dallas County Sheriff's Association, told the news station that Monnig went to the health clinic because he was feeling sick.
"He's doing exactly basically what we told him to do: If at any time you don't feel well, go seek some medical attention," Dyer said, according to WFAA. "I'm being told that he's not exhibiting classic signs of the Ebola virus. It's just a matter that he doesn't feel well, and because he had contact with Mr. Duncan's apartment, they're taking every precaution."
Test results for Monnig are expected later Thursday.
