TSA Officer Who Patted Down Second Nurse to Contract Ebola Is Placed on Leave, Will Self Monitor

A TSA officer who patted down Amber Vinson — the second medical worker to contract Ebola after having close contact with deceased Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan — has been placed on paid administrative leave as a precautionary measure, CNN reported.

Amber Vinson (Photo: Akron Public Schools)

"A Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Transportation Security Administration Officer who conducted a routine pat-down of a traveler later reported to be infected with Ebola consulted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," the TSA said in a statement, CNN noted. "No Cleveland TSA officer came in direct contact with the infected traveler, as all pat downs are completed while employees are wearing disposable medical gloves."

The TSA said the employee is not reporting any symptoms and was instructed by CDC to self-monitor over the next few days, CNN added.

Eighty-seven Ohio residents on Vinson's flights were self-monitoring for symptoms of Ebola, Dr. Mary DiOrio, state epidemiologist and interim chief of the Ohio Department of Health's Bureau of Prevention and Health Promotion, told CNN. 

The CDC also is urging passengers on either of Vinson's flights to get in touch with them to answer questions and potentially undergo monitoring even though their risk was extremely low, CNN added.