Michigan Health Officials Monitoring 10 People For Possible Ebola Exposure

LANSING (WWJ) - Health officials in Michigan are now monitoring 10 people for possible exposure to the deadly Ebola virus, but none are showing symptoms, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Spokeswoman Jennifer Smith told WWJ Newsradio 950 Wednesday that all 10 of these people are "low risk," haven had no known exposure, and are not showing any symptoms.

They are only being monitored at this point "as a precaution," Smith said.

Smith said the 10 people had visited Africa, and the health department was made aware of their travel history by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control at the airport.

"This is really as a precaution, to make sure that our public health officials are ready to respond quickly...if the situation should change," she told WWJ's Zahra Huber.

The 10 people are being actively monitored for a 21 day period, according to Smith.

What does that involve?

"Twice daily contact with health officials, just to make sure that there are no symptoms that would be indicative of Ebola," Smith said.

With Ebola topping news reports nationwide, health officials say it's understandable that people are concerned. But, according to the CDC, Ebola is spread by contact with infected blood or other body fluids only — and is not an airborne virus.

The CDC says those at highest risk are healthcare providers caring for Ebola patients and the family and friends in close contact with Ebola patients. Symptoms of Ebola include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding.

WWJ health reporter Dr. Deanna Lites moderated a round-table discussion Wednesday evening on WWJ Newsradio 950 with a panel of health experts giving you the information you need to know. [Listen to the podcast below]

Get complete information about Ebola from the CDC at this link.