CDC Says Ebola Virus Manageable Unless Mutates in U.S., Air Canada Approves Flight Attendants’ Request for Hand Gloves

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control assured citizens in the homeland an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the country is highly manageable and can easily be eradicated, but only until the virus mutates. This, as Air Canada approved the request of its flight attendants union to wear disposable gloves aboard flights.

Given the high levels of sanitation plus awareness and information about the disease in the U.S., Dr Thomas Frieden, CDC director, said he is sure there won't be a large-scale outbreak in the country. "There is zero doubt in my mind unless there's a mutation there."

On Thursday, Amber Joy Vinson, a Texas nurse, became the second person to have gotten the fatal Ebola virus. But she didn't get it while stationed in any of the three west African nations. She got infected right inside the United States. Fears are mounting she could have potentially passed on the virus while on a trip from Cleveland, Ohio to Dallas, as well as from Cleveland to Akron. Federal authorities are currently tracking the identities and whereabouts of the other 132 passengers she shared a plane with aboard Frontier Airlines.

"We can't rule out that she might have had the start of her illness on Friday," Dr Chris Braden of the CDC said at a briefing.

The web of people who could get infected have also spawned over the supposedly just 132 co-passengers. CNBC reported a school in Akron had closed because one parent of a child studying there had spent time with Vinson during her trip. The mother is now quarantined, and for security purposes, so is her child. The child did not have contact with Vinson. The school will remain closed until Monday. Vinson likewise reportedly visited a bridal shop while in Akron.

Meantime, Air Canada has approved the request of its flight attendants' union to wear disposable gloves in all flights as one of precautionary measures to stem the further spread of the Ebola virus.

The management, however, noted that all cabin crew must still continue to follow public health guidelines which is frequent, effective hand-washing take place because "gloves do not replace proper hand hygiene."

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