New York Doctor Who Treated Patients in West Africa Tests Positive for Ebola

A doctor in New York City has tested positive for Ebola. 

Dr. Craig Spencer, 33, returned from working with patients in Guinea over a week ago; he began showing symptoms of the virus on Wednesday (Oct. 22) and quarantined himself in his apartment. Spencer’s symptoms worsened on Thursday (Oct. 23), contacted officials, and was immediately sent to Bellevue Hospital where testing confirmed the Ebola diagnosis.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio confirmed Spencer’s diagnosis in a press conference Thursday night. The regional leaders assured the public that the city was prepared to handle an Ebola scenario. 

“We want to state at the outset that there is no reason for New Yorkers to be alarmed,” said de Blasio. 

Authorities are now tracking people that Spencer may have encountered in his time since returning to the United States. He had not seen any patients in the U.S. since his return. Spencer’s fiance has been placed in a quarantine ward in Bellevue Hospital for monitoring.

Publication date: October 24, 2014