Texas Gov. Rick Perry said five children who attend Dallas schools had contact with a man diagnosed with Ebola and are being monitored.
The children had contact with the patient, whom NBC News has identified as Thomas Eric Duncan, and are being monitored at home, Perry said health officials learned Wednesday.
The five children attended four Dallas Independent School District campuses, according to DISD Superintendent Mike Miles — Dan D. Rogers Elementary School, L.L. Hotchkiss Elementary School, Sam Tasby Middle School and Emmett J. Conrad High School.
Andre Riley, spokesman for the DISD, said that they have been communicating proactively and cleaning to restore confidence in the school buildings so students can focus on learning.
DISD confirmed two students at Tasby Middle School possibly came into contact with Duncan, and one student each at Rogers Elementary, Hotchkiss Elementary and Conrad High School.
"The impacted students are currently not showing any symptoms and are under close observation by the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department," the district said in a news release Wednesday.
"As a precautionary measure, the students have been advised to stay home from school. Since the students are not presenting any symptoms, there is nothing to suggest that the disease was spread to others including students and staff," it added.
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Meanwhile, the DISD has launched a recorded hotline to provide updates to parents of DISD students. The hotline number is 972-925-5810.
Duncan, a Liberian national, has been in isolation at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas since Sunday. He was listed in serious, but stable, condition Wednesday.
He is the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S. His age has not yet been released.
Authorities said the ambulance crew who transported the man and members of his family are among the 12 to 18 people being monitored after exposure to the man.
Dallas Independent School District Contacts:
- 972-925-5810
- www.dallasisd.org/healthupdates
