The boyfriend of Nina Pham, one of the nurses who contracted the Ebola virus at a hospital in Dallas, may also have the disease, several news reports revealed.
A report published by the International Business Times cited a report by gotnews.com which said that the nurse's boyfriend, who remains unidentified, has been "admitted into a hospital with Ebola-like symptoms."
Gotnews.com claimed that it got information from at least two people working at Alcon saying somebody from the global eye care company has been taken to the hospital after showing some symptoms of the disease. Pham's boyfriend reportedly works at Alcon.
"I am writing to make you aware that one of our Fort Worth associates was admitted to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital on Sunday, October 12. He is being monitored for potential signs and symptoms of the Ebola virus based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol," Jeff George, Alcon's global head, said in an email sent to company employees.
A screengrab photo of the email was provided by Gotnews.com and International Business Times.
"This measure was taken due to the fact that the associate was in contact with the Texas Health Presbyterian health care worker who has recently tested positive for the virus. The Alcon associate has not shown any signs or symptoms of the Ebola virus," another media statement posted at the company's website read. It was released October 13.
"After consultation with the Texas Department of Health, we are confident that there is no risk for Alcon associates. We are working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of Health to ensure we are following proper public health measures. We are taking all necessary measures, as directed by the CDC and according to our own internal protocols," the statement added.
Alcon also said in the statement that it will not identify the employee who may have contracted the disease for "privacy reasons." It also did not confirm if the person who contracted the virus is Pham's boyfriend.
Meanwhile, The Christian Today reported that Nina Pham, who got the disease after treating Thomas Eric Duncan, the Ebola patient who died due to the virus, has "worsened."
Having been isolated, the nurse is now reportedly in a "fair condition." Patients who are within this condition are "conscious but may be uncomfortable," Christian Today said.
However, The Epoch Times in a report, quoted several doctors of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases saying that Pham is doing well. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the institute's head, for instance, said that she is "resting comfortably."
Another doctor, Dr. Richard Davy was quoted as saying that the patient is "interacting with the staff, eating, and doing quite well."
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