New York State Department of Health Update on New York's Ebola Monitoring and Prevention Effort

ALBANY, NY (December 16, 2014) - New York State remains free of any Ebola cases and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) continues to actively monitor and screen health care workers and others traveling from Ebola-affected countries.

Today, the second of two upstate health care workers who agreed to be voluntarily quarantined at home returns from West Africa. This worker, who treated Ebola patients in Liberia, and a previous health care worker who has been voluntarily quarantined since returning from Liberia December 7 remain symptom free.

"Public health and safety must remain our top priority and we must remain cautious," said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. "These health care workers exemplify the dedication and devotion of true heroes in helping people in Africa who are suffering from Ebola. I welcome them home and commend them for their continued efforts upon their return."

"New York is grateful to these workers for volunteering their time and talent to help alleviate suffering among the sick," said acting Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker. "We will support them during their period of quarantine and monitor their health to protect both the individuals and public safety."

The New York State Department of Health, in partnership with our federal partners, continues to screen individuals traveling from Ebola-affected countries. Individuals may be monitored or quarantined for 21 days, depending on their contact history with Ebola. Anyone that has symptoms consistent with Ebola virus will be immediately transported to a specially-designated hospital and tested.

New York has had only one patient with Ebola, a health care worker who recovered from the disease at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City. The Bellevue workers who cared for the patient at Bellevue are all past their 21-day monitoring period and are all Ebola-free.

The health care worker returning today brings to eight the total number of people who have been either quarantined or isolated for treatment of Ebola. Since the Commissioner's Order was issued on October 27, more than 1,500 individuals have received enhanced screening for the Ebola virus, of which 678 have been or are being monitored by health officials.

New York State continues to monitor travelers from Ebola-affected countries arriving in New York.