D.C. hospital admits patient with 'Ebola-like symptoms'

Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., confirmed Friday that the hospital is treating a patient who recently traveled to Nigeria and has displayed "Ebola-like symptoms."

Kerry-Ann Hamilton, a spokesperson for Howard University, said in a statement that the patient came to the hospital "presenting symptoms that could be associated with Ebola" and is in stable condition. However, the hospital has not yet confirmed that the patient has been infected with the disease. Hamilton did not release the patient's name, citing privacy concerns.

"In an abundance of caution, we have activated the appropriate infection control protocols, including isolating the patient," Hamilton stated. "Our medical team continues to evaluate and monitor progress in close collaboration with the CDC and the Department of Health."

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While Nigeria has managed to contain its Ebola outbreak, the disease continues to spread in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Earlier this week, a Liberian man, Thomas Duncan, was diagnosed with Ebola, and he is being treated at a Dallas hospital. The World Health Organization estimates that the current Ebola outbreak has killed at least 3,338 people in West Africa.

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Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.