Ebola Scare Sends Dallas County Sheriff’s Deputy To Hospital

FRISCO (CSBDFW.COM) - First responders have transported a Dallas County Sheriff’s deputy to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital to be monitored for Ebola as a precaution.

The patient, Michael Monnig, was transported from a Frisco Care Now facility where he was complaining of “stomach issues,” according to sources.

Monnig’s children told CBS 11’s Andrea Lucia that their dad woke up this morning feeling sore and a little nauseated.

“We were told by federal officials, county officials that you would have to come in direct contact with Duncan or direct contact with bodily fluids, and he did not,” said Monnig’s son, Logan, about the possibility of his dad contracting Ebola.  Logan said it’s a very scary time for his family, but they do not expect that his dad will test positive for the virus.

Monning was not one of the 48 people being monitored by federal, state and local health officials because he never had direct contact with the patient.  Monnig did enter the apartment where Duncan had stayed before being admitted to the hospital.

“He was in the apartment for 30 minutes, which we were told is no chance to contact the virus,” said Logan.

The clinic and the City of Frisco initially reported that Monnig was “exhibiting signs and symptoms of Ebola.”

First responders transported Monnig to the hospital from the Care Now, located at 301 W. Main Street in Frisco.  When Monnig arrived at the clinic, he told workers he felt nauseous and recently had contact with Duncan’s family.  Immediately, the clinic notified health officials, sealed off and decontaminated the clinic, screened 14 people inside and sent Monnig by ambulance to Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, the same hospital where Duncan was admitted.  Duncan died earlier in the day, after spending more than 10 days in isolation at that same hospital.

Frisco’s fire chief Mark Piland said Monnig is being treated “out of an abundance of caution” and the response was appropriate based on Monnig’s symptoms and his indirect contact with the Ebola victim.

Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas confirmed the patient’s arrival to the Emergency Room in statement, which reads in part, “Right now, there are more questions than answers about this case. Our professional staff of nurses and doctors is prepared to examine the patient, discuss any findings with appropriate agencies and officials.  We are on alert with precautions and systems in place.”  The hospital is still admitting and caring for other patients at this time.

Frisco firefighters-paramedics were decontaminated by Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital staff in accordance with CDC guidelines.  Frisco is working with health officials from Denton and Collin counties as well as the Texas Department of Emergency Management.

In 2008, CBS 11’s JD Miles did a story about Monnig in 2008.  At the time, he was a recruit trainer, who was fired for an on-duty injury.  After the story aired, he was reinstated.


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