Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Issues Statement on the Diagnosis of the Second Ebola Patient in the United States
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC– October 14, 2014 – Today, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement on the second Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States, Ft. Worth native Nina Pham:
“My thoughts and prayers are with Nina Pham and her family. While caring for Ebola patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, Nina acted as a model nurse serving selflessly, compassionately and courageously. Since initial diagnosis, Ms. Pham received a blood donation from Dr. Kent Brantly, the American doctor who contracted Ebola while providing care in Africa and was treated with experimental drug ‘ZMapp’. I am hopeful that this advancement in Ms. Pham’s case will lead to her speedy recovery and that her diagnosis will serve as a learning measure for precautionary action in the future.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ms. Pham’s diagnosis is a consequence of a breach in protocol. Though Texas Presbyterian medical staff had taken all precautionary measures to contain the virus, removal of safety gear after treating an Ebola patient makes health care workers susceptible to infection. The CDC is now overseeing retraining measures of staff at Presbyterian Hospital. As this case continues to develop, I encourage the CDC to think critically on the safety and preparedness of critically ill patients within public medical facilities. I encourage continued cooperation between the CDC and state/local health partners to ensure containment of this virus from the public and uniform protection of health care workers across the United States.”
U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the ranking member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Kessler Park, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, South Dallas & South Oak Cliff; all of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Ferris, Glenn Heights, South Grand Prairie, Oak Lawn, Ovilla, Uptown/Victory Park and West Dallas.