The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new set of guidelines on how the United States should deal with potential Ebola cases following the controversial mandatory quarantine imposed by three states.
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According to the amended guidelines announced on Monday, people with a high potential of acquiring the Ebola virus should voluntarily isolate themselves and agree to be closely monitored in order to avoid the violation of people's civil rights.
This comes after leaders from New York, New Jersey, and Illinois imposed a mandatory quarantine for the 21-day incubation period for people at risk of having Ebola, igniting criticisms from civil rights advocates.
According to the CDC, those deemed to be 'at highest risk' of contracting the virus are only limited to those who have been exposed to confirmed Ebola patients without the necessary protective gear.
The guidelines revealed that only potential 'high risk' people should be covered under voluntary isolation and are advised to avoid public travel or any contact with other people, even if they have shown no signs of the disease yet.
The release of the guidelines is aimed at standardizing the monitoring of those returning from countries worst hit by Ebola in West Africa, especially medical workers who work on the front lines in the battle against the disease.
CDC Director Thomas Frieden expressed his optimism with the new guidelines which he expects will 'add a strong level of protection and a strong level of reassurance.'
'I wish we could get to zero risk in the US. But we will only get to zero risk by stopping it at its source,' he stated, adding that as of October 11, more than 800 people have returned to the U.S. from West Africa out of which 46 have been identified to be health workers.
Meanwhile, U.S. Press Secretary John Earnest spoke against the harsh policies imposed by the three states noting that it might be discouraging for most health workers who would initially want to volunteer their aid in the war against the epidemic.
'We believe that we can both show them the respect that they have earned while also ensuring that we have protocols in place to protect the American people,' he stated.
Posted by Unknown on Monday, October 27, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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