Image Courtesy/CDC

HSNW News:

U.S. federal health officials have urged hospitals to think Ebola as officials in Texas are anxiously trying to identify all staff involved in the care of Americas patient zero following the news that a nurse — Nina Pham, 26 — who was involved in his care is the first person to contract the disease in the United States.

“We have to rethink the way we address Ebola infection and control because even a single infection is unacceptable,” Tom Frieden, director of the CDC, said on Monday.

CDC officials are now watching the Dallas hospital personnel as they put on and take off their protective garb, retraining the staff and evaluating the type of protective equipment being used. The CDC officials were considering using cleaning products that kill the virus to spray down workers who come out of the isolation unit where the nurse is being treated.

CDC will update its infection control guidance document, mostly likely next week. The agencys guidance is just that – a guidance – since the agency does not have the authority to compel hospitals to follow its recommended procedures.

Source: Homeland Security News Wire