Tag Archives: Airplane

Schools In Texas, Ohio Close Over Ebola Fear

Concerns over Ebola have shut down schools in two states.

Two public schools in Ohio are closed because staff members were on the same flight as Amber Vinson, the second nurse who contracted Ebola and flew from Ohio to Texas with a low grade fever.

An e-mail was sent to parents of children at Solon Middle School and Parkside Elementary School.

“This circumstance came to light late in the day and we have been working since then to get as much information as possible from public health authorities,” the district’s email read.

“Although we believe what the science community and public health officials are telling us about the low risk of possible transmission of the virus through indirect contact, we are nonetheless taking the unusual step of closing the dual school building for Thursday so that we can have the schools cleaned and disinfected.”

The Belton Independent School District in Texas closed all three schools because of two students who were on the flight.

“Canceling classes at the three campuses will allow us to thoroughly clean and disinfect the schools and buses that served them this week. It will also allow health officials additional time to re-assess the health risk to passengers on the plane,” said Belton Superintendent Susan Kincannon in a statement.  “I’m frustrated that we didn’t learn until late tonight that the CDC was re-evaluating the health risk. The health and safety of our students is my first priority.”

Ebola Patient Took Flight With Fever

One of the signs of Ebola infection is a fever.

Yet the CDC allowed the latest American to be infected with the virus to fly on an airplane after showing a low-grade fever.

The Centers for Disease Control admits they allowed Amber Vinson of Dallas to fly from Cleveland to Dallas with a fever of 99.5.

“Although she did not report any symptoms and she did not meet the fever threshold of 100.4, she did report at that time she took her temperature and found it to be 99.5,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden. “I don’t think that changes the level of risk of people around her.  She did not vomit, she was not bleeding, so the level of risk of people around her would be extremely low.”

However, the CDC is contacting everyone who was on the flight about their possible exposure to Ebola.

“Those who have exposures to Ebola, she should not have traveled on a commercial airline,” said Dr. Frieden. “The CDC guidance in this setting outlines the need for controlled movement. That can include a charter plane; that can include a car; but it does not include public transport. We will from this moment forward ensure that no other individual who is being monitored for exposure undergoes travel in any way other than controlled movement.”

The plane was used for five additional flights before it was taken out of service.