Wednesday, the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew said the home quarantine of Nurse Kaci Hickox is mandatory and they will seek an immediate court order if she attempts to defy it.
Mayhew said, “We know that a health worker in New York, who had no known breach in his protective equipment unfortunately later developed symptoms and tested positive for this terrible disease. To ensure that we are doing all we can to protect the health of maine people, the Maine department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention continues daily post arrival monitoring of travelers who came to Maine from an affected country.”
“Any traveler from West Africa who comes to Maine will be monitored for at least 21 days after the last possible exposure to Ebola,” Mayhew continued. “This is consistent with federal guidelines. This monitoring includes daily check ins with a state epidemiologist for any signs of a fever or other Ebola related symptoms. If any symptoms develop, they will receive immediate medical care. We have instituted protocols ensuring those individuals with a higher level of risk do not unnecessarily make contact with the public. These protocols include voluntary, in-home quarantine for someone who is known to have direct contact with an Ebola patient.”
“If an individual who came in direct contact with Ebola patients has returned to Maine and is not willing to avoid public contact and stay in their home voluntarily during the period that they are at some risk, we will take additional measures and pursue appropriate authority. When it is made clear by an individual in this risk category they do not intend to voluntarily stay at home for the remaining 21 days, we will immediately seek a court order,” she added.
Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN
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