State takes precautionary measures against Ebola

CEDAR RAPIDS - The state is taking precautionary measures against 13 travelers who were in Sierra Leone, Liberia or Guinea in the last 21 days and are now in Iowa, public health officials said Thursday.

But the Iowa Department of Public Heath stressed that there is no public safety risk.

Twelve had a low risk of exposure to Ebola in those countries, so the department of public health has allowed them to resume normal activities. But these individuals have been ordered to self-monitor themselves, meaning they are required to take their temperature twice a day and report their health status to public health.

One traveler had some risk of being exposed to Ebola and has been quarantined, officials said. The department of public health has directed the person to stay at home and take their temperature twice daily, including at least once with a public health official observing.

None of these travelers have any symptoms consistent with Ebola, which include fever, vomiting and diarrhea.

'These individuals are being monitored closely and pose no risk to the public's health,” said Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, IDPH medical director. 'All individuals are fully complying and are cooperating with health officials.”

Public health actions like quarantines are used when a person is well but may have been exposed to a serious disease, officials said. The incubation period for Ebola is up to 21 days.

Isolation is used when an individual is displaying symptoms of an illness. Officials said this has not needed to be used yet because none of the travelers have become ill or displayed symptoms.

State law prevents the state from releasing certain health information that may identify individuals, including where the travelers are in Iowa.