UPDATE, 10/2 — 2:49 p.m. ET: The Hawaii State Department of Health ruled Thursday that the patient it had isolated for possible Ebola symptoms did not have the disease. The patient was not officially tested for Ebola, but KSLA-TV reported that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said his symptoms were not consistent with what one would exhibit if he had the disease that is running rampant in West Africa.
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UPDATE, 10/2 — 12:15 a.m. ET: The Hawaii State Department of Health released a statement, saying they are "evaluating a patient in isolation at a Honolulu hospital for possible symptoms that may be consistent with Ebola."
"The department was notified today of the case and is in the preliminary stages of an investigation into the travel history and clinical presentation of the individual. The patient is still undergoing evaluation and may be diagnosed with a number of conditions other than Ebola," the statement said. "The department is working closely with the hospital which is following all precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of patients, staff, and the community."
"At this time, the department is not releasing any additional information on the patient or the patient’s status," it added, noting an update would be released as "new information becomes available."
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A patient placed in isolation at a Honolulu-area hospital Wednesday may be infected with the Ebola virus, officials told KHON-TV.
The Department of Health confirmed to the Hawaii outlet that the patient is currently undergoing a battery of tests, but has yet to be specifically tested for the deadly virus.
The officials declined to provide KHON with any details regarding symptoms and would not say whether or not the patient has been to West Africa recently.
The Ebola virus viewed through an electron microscope. The World Health Organization on Friday, Aug. 8, 2014 declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa to be an international public health emergency that requires an extraordinary response to stop its spread. (AP/Antwerp Institute of Tropical Medicine)
Officials, however, said they are working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but cautioned the public not to worry at this stage.
No other details were immediately available. A representative from the Hawaii Department of Public Health was not immediately available for comment to TheBlaze.
A man was diagnosed this week with Ebola in Dallas, Texas this week and is currently undergoing treatment.
This story has been updated.
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