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CHARLOTTE, NC – At a press conference Tuesday, WCCB asked Mecklenburg County Health Director Stephen Keener how many people are being monitored for Ebola symptoms in Mecklenburg County.
“It’s not an important number to know. I said yesterday that it was less than 10, which is the truth, but if I say that it’s two today, then it could be five tomorrow,” said Keener.
Another question: Are they are men, women, children or American citizens?
Keener answered, “I don’t know. I haven’t had a specific conversation with the nurses about it.”
Did they fly into Charlotte Douglas?
Keener answered, “I do not know. I do not know their mode of arrival,” said Keener.
What were they doing in West Africa? Are they doctors or health care workers?
Keener answered, “I don’t know.”
Keener’s answers are not sitting well with Charlotte residents or visitors.
“You can’t go around just keeping people in the dark, especially if you’re a part of a government agency. Especially the health department,” said Lamar Blocker, an East Charlotte Resident.
“We feel like it’s very important that the public knows kind of what is going on, to the extent that privacy laws allow us to do that,” said Keener.
Keener says none of the people being monitored are showing symptoms, and they say they have not had contact with anyone who has Ebola. He says they are self-monitoring themselves at home and have to check their temperature twice a day for 21 days. They must report that number to a nurse. They also must report any Ebola symptoms such as vomiting or fatigue.
During the three-week monitoring period, Keener say the people being monitored are allowed to leave their home, but they have been asked to not ride public transportation.
WCCB reached out to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and N.C. Department of Health & Human Services. Both suggested contacting the Mecklenburg County Health Department for answers to any questions on local Ebola monitoring.
