The University of California Davis Medical Center received a suspected case of Ebola Thursday morning when a patient exhibiting symptoms consistent with the disease was transferred from Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento.
The California Department of Public Health has identified UC Davis as a priority hospital for treating Ebola, according to a UC Davis Medical Center release. The medical center is coordinating with Sacramento County Department of Public Health on the case.
The Medical Center statement conveyed that measures have been taken to protect the health and safety of hospital workers and patients. These measures include “extensive training on proper use of personal protective equipment and the establishment of a dedicated isolation room for treatment of suspected and confirmed Ebola patients.”
UC Davis Medical Center is currently still open to the public under normal operations.
Ebola news has diminished from the headlines in the months since Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan made history last September. Duncan had been infected with Ebola before traveling to the U.S. and subsequently became the first person to test positive for the disease on U.S. soil. Thursday’s announcement brings the highly infectious and deadly disease that has put hundreds on watch lists back into the spotlight.
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana