Advertisement Jefferson Parish: Patient reveals Ebola claims were false; No cause for alarm Patient previously said she had contact with a person from western Africa Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Officials in Jefferson Parish have confirmed that a patient claiming she had recent contact with an individual from western Africa was not telling the truth. Sources close to the situation told WDSU on Saturday that a patient had been transported to a health facility in Jefferson Parish after she said she had some form of contact with an individual who had been in a country where Ebola is prominent.Health officials were alerted along with hazmat crews and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office. She was monitored out of "abundance of caution."Jefferson Parish Councilman Mark Spears said that during the patient's evaluation, it was revealed that this patient did not have contact with an ill person. The patient also had no fever as previously thought. Read: CDC director on Ebola outbreak"The ER physician consulted with DHH-OPH and we informed him that this patient was not at risk for Ebola virus disease based on the history and symptoms described," Spears said. “It takes a while to get suited up. It costs a lot of money too because each individual gets paid for their time,” said Geronimo Rawlings, who lives on the Marrero street where the scare happened.While this was a false alarm, Dr. Frank Welch, the medical director for Community Preparedness for the Louisiana Office of Public Health, said everyone responded exactly how they were supposed to.“The emergency response system is doing exactly what we want them to do and proceeding with this abundance of caution, and making sure they're ruling out Ebola rather than missing a case of Ebola like they did in Dallas,” said Welch.At the same time, Welch hopes in the future only those with a concern of having Ebola go in for treatment. He says the magnitude of responding to Ebola scares here and across the country take a lot of time and money. He says it also takes the health community and the nation's attention away from what's important.“The actual Ebola disease-- recognition, signs and symptoms and making sure Americans are safe,” said Welch. “By pulling one of these hoaxes, you really are diverting people's attention away from what we should be focusing on.”“That's crazy,” said Rawlings. “They should have some kind of charge put against her for lying.”Authorities in Jefferson Parish have not confirmed whether or not the patient will face any criminal charges.Editor's Note: Sources previously stated that the patient was transported to the West Jefferson Medical Center. Officials have confirmed that the patient was transported to a different undisclosed facility. Additional Content: - Lawmakers call for more Ebola screenings at Texas airports- Spanish nurse doesn't know how she got EbolaSign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!13484466