While the recent infection of the first person to contract the Ebola virus on American soil has many a broadcaster prophesizing doom, the director for the Center of Disease Control and Prevention says that an outbreak of the virus is “unlikely.”
The response by the media has prompted many viewers to criticize that the panic, at this point, is largely unnecessary and consider it fear-mongering over reporting.
Dr. Tom Friedman of the CDC said to reporters for various news outlets that the Ebola patient, one Thomas Eric Duncan, is the only one confirmed to have contracted the virus on American soil. He is currently under quarantine as are those who have had immediate contact with him, all of whom will be monitored for symptoms for 21 days.
Despite the CDC saying that there is little risk of an Ebola epidemic in the United States, the situation has caused airport security around the country to heighten security standards when putting passengers through the screening process.
“All options are on the table for further strengthening the screening process here in the U.S., and that includes trying to screen people coming in from Ebola-affected countries with temperature checks,” said a yet to be disclosed source to CNN.
In relation to Duncan, a Texas homeless man who was said to be on the low-risk list made by health officials went missing from a medical facility after being tested for the virus. Although health officials say that he is not at risk of contaminating anyone a search party dedicated to locating him was sent out, eventually finding him a day later.
Duncan, the original patient is currently in critical condition.