Harvard Vanguard: Patients And Staff Safe After Braintree Ebola Evacuation

BRAINTREE (CBS) – Harvard Vanguard Medical Center officials said on Monday that no staff or patients at the clinic are in any danger after a Sunday evacuation for a man with possible Ebola-like symptoms.

On Sunday a man who had recently traveled to Liberia walked into the clinic complaining of a headache and muscle aches.

At the request of clinic staff, the man isolated himself in his vehicle until he was transported to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for further evaluation out of "an abundance of caution."

In a Monday statement, the clinic reiterated that the likelihood of the man having Ebola is "quite low" and said no one who was in the building at the time is in any danger.

"No one in the Braintree office would have had significant exposure — neither our staff nor other patients present in the building at the time," Harvard Vanguard officials said on Monday.

"Patients and staff who were in the building at the time do not pose any risk to others. They do not need any special disinfection or decontamination or temperature monitoring."

The man who is being tested for Ebola was not coughing or sneezing, did not have any vomiting or diarrhea, and was not bleeding. Ebola infection occurs through exposure to blood or bodily fluids.

According to the Harvard Vanguard statement, the only disinfection required for the building was "standard and minor," using cleaning solution specified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Staff and patients coming to Braintree are safe," clinic officials said.

"We have reviewed procedures with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and are confident that all is being done appropriately. Normal operations continue at Braintree today."

Beth Israel Deaconess also released a statement on Monday, saying that the patient remains in isolation and is in good condition.

"We are taking all precautions to make sure the patient receives the very best care," the statement said.

In addition, Beth Israel officials said they are working closely with the Boston Public Health Commission, the mayor's office and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as they treat the patient.

"We want to emphasize, there is no risk to other patients, visitors or staff.  BIDMC remains open for clinical operations," the hospital statement said.

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