— Health officials said early Friday that a patient admitted to Watauga Medical Center for a possible Ebola infection does not have the disease.

The person, who had recently traveled to a foreign country and had a fever, was admitted to the hospital Thursday, officials said.

"After reviewing the case in great detail, the clinical care team and public health officials have determined that the patient's illness and epidemiologic information are not consistent with Ebola infection," officials said in a statement. "The patient is currently being evaluated for other unrelated conditions."

Officials said the patient was in stable condition and would be transferred to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center based on their treatment needs.

The hospital is part of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, which began educating staff and putting protocols in place in August for dealing with Ebola.

Boone also is home to Samaritan's Purse, a missionary group that employs Dr. Kent Brantly, one of the first Americans to contract Ebola in West Africa. Brantly has since recovered from his infection.