YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio --The Ohio Department of Health today reported that Amber Joy Vinson, the second health care worker at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas diagnosed with Ebola, visited family in Akron from Oct. 8 through Oct. 13.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified ODH of the situation early today.

“Ohio has swiftly acted and is working with the CDC and Summit County health officials to identify people who may have been in close contact with the health care worker and implement quarantine as necessary,” said Dr. Mary DiOrio, state epidemiologist and interim chief of the Ohio Department of Health’s Division of Prevention and Health Promotion. “In addition, Ohio is working with the airline to identify individuals on her return flight to Dallas.”

A conference call with reporters did not provide more specifics regarding where Vinson traveled during her visit here or how many people may have been in contact with her.

"As of right now we do not have a case of Ebola in Ohio,” emphasized DiOrio, “but we are going to be working to identify any close contacts that the individual was in contact with in the state.”

Ebola is a virus spread through physical contact with body fluids of someone who is infected. The disease is not transmitted through the air.

Vinson flew Oct. 13 via Frontier Airlines from Cleveland to Dallas/Fort Worth International airport, Frontier confirmed today, and asked passengers on that flight to contact the CDC at 800 232 4636.

Said Frontier in a statement, "The flight landed in Dallas/Fort Worth at 8:16 p.m. [Oct. 13] local time and remained overnight at the airport having completed its flying for the day at which point the aircraft received a thorough cleaning per our normal procedures which is consistent with CDC guidelines prior to returning to service the next day. It was also cleaned again in Cleveland last night. Previously the customer had traveled from Dallas Fort Worth to Cleveland on Frontier flight 1142 on Oct. 10.”

Frontier’s statement quoted the flight crew as reporting that Vinson “exhibited no symptoms or sign of illness while on flight 1143. Frontier responded immediately upon notification from the CDC by removing the aircraft from service and is working closely with CDC to identify and contact customers who may traveled on flight 1143,” the company said.

“The safety and security of our customers and employees is our primary concern. Frontier will continue to work closely with CDC and other governmental agencies to ensure proper protocols and procedures are being followed.”

In a statement released to the press, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio 13, said he is in "constant contact with the CDC and local officials and hospitals regarding the preparedness and procedures in place to deal with our current situation. I have been assured that there is no reason to panic."

Ryan's statement noted that Vinson "was not symptomatic during her time in Ohio means she was not able to spread the virus. I was told by the CDC that she became symptomatic on Tuesday morning, well after her departure from Ohio. At this time, the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control are continuing to investigate, but we must aggressively review the policies and procedures that allowed a health worker who was in contact with an Ebola patient to so easily leave and get on an airplane to potentially expose others. An immediate review must occur."

The congressman, whose district includes Akron, said if the CDC does not have sufficient "resources available to ensure the northeast Ohioans and Americans across the nation are safe and healthy, we should immediately return to Washington to pass an emergency spending bill."

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, called the latest developments "troubling news [that] demonstrates why our government must be more proactive in the fight to prevent the spread of Ebola. I have been calling on the president to take such proactive measures for weeks and it's time for the administration to act."

Portman urged Obama to appoint one administration official to coordinate the U.S. strategy to contain and combat Ebola.  He also called on the CDC to enact active Ebola screenings for travelers demonstrating Ebola symptoms at U.S. ports of entry.

In a prepared statement distributed to news organizations, Portman said, "In situations like this, it is important to remain calm while also staying vigilant and aware of potential symptoms. I have spoken to Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson and other officials regarding the situation in Cleveland. I have also communicated with the secretary of health and human services, Sylvia Burwell, to ensure the federal government is providing appropriate CDC and other assistance. My office stands ready to assist with any federal needs and to try to address concerns Ohio constituents have regarding the situation. I will remain in very close touch regarding this issue with federal, state and local authorities."

MORE:
Dallas Ebola Patient Should Not Have Been Allowed to Fly to Cleveland, CDC Says
Second Health Care Worker Tests Positive for Ebola in Dallas

Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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