Massachusetts General Hospital Treating Possible Ebola Patient

Massachusetts General Hospital announced doctors are treating a patient who is suspected to have the Ebola virus.

A patient who may have the Ebola virus is being tested and treated at Massachusetts General Hospital, the hospital announced Tuesday night.

The patient is in a "specially prepared area" of the hospital and is being tested, hospital officials said in a memo to staff on the MGH website. The patient is being tested for Ebola because he or she meets the CDC's definition of "a person under investigation for the Ebola virus," according to Dr. Paul Biddinger, director of emergency preparedness at MGH.

The patient, who is described as being in stable condition and "good spirits," was admitted to the hospital for evaluation at 2 p.m. after being monitored by the Boston Public Health Comission, the hospital said. Initial tests could come back late Tuesday night, Dr. Biddinger said; however, officials may need multiple tests to confirm either a positive or negative diagnosis.

No diagnosis of Ebola has yet been confirmed, nor have doctors said why they suspect Ebola. There is also no word on the patient's age, gender, where he or she is from or travel history.

MGH officials say they're focused on the health and safety of everyone in the hospital and that they're following CDC recommendations as a precaution, although there has been no confirmed diagnosis.

Dr. Biddinger also added that the hospital is "extremely confident" in its ability to handle whatever outcome and that staff, patients and hospital visitors are safe.

"We have full confidence in our departments and healthcare organizations that we can keep Boston residents and visitors safe and healthy," Boston Public Health Commission said in a statement.

The announcement of the possible Ebola patient at MGH came just hours after President Barack Obama delivered an upbeat update on the nation's fight against the deadly virus domestically and in West Africa, where an outbreak has killed thousands.

Obama called attention to the administration's announcement Tuesday that it has set up a network of 35 hospitals across the country to deal with Ebola patients. It also said that the number of labs that can test for Ebola has increased from 13 in 13 states in August to 42 labs in 36 states.

Stay with NECN as this story develops. 

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