Ebola scare at Denver hospital after patient exhibits symptoms

Caitlin Hendee | KUSA

A patient being evaluated in the isolation unit of a Denver hospital tested negative for Ebola, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

The patient was transported to Denver Health at approximately 8:30 a.m. with Ebola considered as a potential diagnosis.

Ebola is a virus that causes severe bleeding and organ failure and can lead to death. It's spread through saliva, touching a contaminated surface, animal and insect bites or blood products.

Connie Price, an infectious diseases physician and Chief Medical Officer of Denver Health, said earlier that it would not likely be a confirmed Ebola case after an initial review of the patients' symptoms.

Price said in a press conference Sunday evening that the patient had reported being in an area of the Congo on a medical missionary trip but was in a location where the Ebola outbreak had recently been officially declared over, with no cases reported for at least 45 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

"Although that area of the world had not seen any new cases for more than 45 days, out of an abundance of caution, due to his reports of dealing with sick individuals including the deceased, we felt [it] necessary to admit him to our biocontainment unit while we sorted through the facts and obtained some initial tests," Price said.

The patient is listed in fair condition.

The release also said Denver Health is operating normally and there are no dangers to patients, staff or visitors.

Denver Health is one of 10 regional facilities the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designates to care for people with Ebola.