Ebola fears are starting to close schools around the nation, as the death toll rises in West Africa. When it comes to the deadly virus, there's no such thing as "too careful."
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District in Ohio announced that a teacher at one of its schools may have come in contact with a nurse in Dallas who has been diagnosed with the often-fatal disease.
"Late Wednesday, Oct. 15, CMSD was made aware that a teacher who works at Cranwood School may have come in contact with a person diagnosed with the Ebola virus," a statement from the school district read.
The school was sanitized with a solution containing bleach, in order to lower risks that may have been caused by the virus. The organization also notified all students and parents about risks from possible exposure to the disease. The teacher in question will remain at home until she is provided a clean bill of health by local officials. The school grounds are home to a pair of facilities, the Eagle Academy and PACT (Problem-based Academy of Critical Thinking). The schools re-opened on Thursday, Oct. 16.
A Liberian man recently died in Dallas from Ebola he contracted in the African nation before traveling to Texas.
Amber Vinson assisted in treating the victim at a hospital in Dallas before he perished. The nurse called the CDC several times before boarding an aircraft to fly home, saying her body temperature was 99.5 degrees. But, the federal agency assured her she was safe to fly, since the reading was still below 100.4 degrees. It is still not public knowledge how Vinson may have come in contact with the Cranwood school teacher.
Solon Middle School and Parkside Elementary School, also located in the Buckeye State, were closed on Oct. 16, due to a separate Ebola scare. An email from the school district stated a teacher there may have traveled on the same airplane, although not on the same flight, as Vinson. Both of the buildings are being disinfected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not believe the teacher is at risk, since she did not have direct contact with Vinson.
A pair of students attending central Texas schools traveled on the flight with the infected nurse, resulting in the closing of three schools there. Sparta Elementary, North Belton Middle School, and a preschool are being sanitized, along with school buses.
"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," Susan Kincannon, superintendent of the school district, said.
Around 9,000 people have already tested positive for Ebola in West Africa, roughly half of who have died from the disease.
Vinson is currently under care at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, one of only four hospitals in the nation with isolation units capable of preventing infections in health care workers.
