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UPDATE: Health Department Says No Ebola Threat For Moore Students, Staff On Cruise

Microscopic image of string-like Ebola virus particles shedding from an infected cell .
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Microscopic image of string-like Ebola virus particles shedding from an infected cell .

Update, 7:53 a.m.: No Ebola threat for Oklahoma students, staff

The Oklahoma State Department of Health says Moore Public Schools students and staff members who were on the same Caribbean cruise ship as a health worker who worked with Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan's lab specimens can return to school Tuesday.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Terry Cline said in a letter to parents and students Monday the Texas Health Presbyterian worker never showed any symptoms of illness during the Carnival Magic cruise, and tests for the Ebola virus came back negative.

Cline said the OSDH appreciates the overabundance of caution shown by Moore Public Schools, but says the agency doesn't recommend any restrictions on attending school or other extracurricular activities.

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Original post

Some students and staff members are staying home from Moore Public Schools Monday after recently traveling on the same cruise ship as a health care worker who handled the lab specimens of an Ebola patient in Dallas.

Superintendent Robert Romines said in a voice message, email, and social media post Sunday night the staff members won't report to work until the lab technician who was on the ship has been cleared.

As of the latest reports, the lab technician was not exhibiting any signs or symptoms of the Ebola strain. However, the technician’s incubation period of 21 days has not expired. Erring on the side of caution, the Administration of Moore Public Schools has determined that employees who were on the cruise shall not report to work until the district can confirm that the lab technician has been “cleared” and there is no medical threat. Administrators from Moore Public Schools are in the process of identifying students who may have been on the cruise. Once identified, those students will also be required to stay out of school and will not be allowed to attend any school activities. Their absences will not be counted against them, and they will be allowed ample time to make up any missed work.

Romines said they should receive word from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention whether or not there's any health risk by Tuesday afternoon.

Mustang Public Schools says a Centennial Elementary School teacher was on that cruise ship as well, and they've asked her to stay home as they review her documentation and meet with health officials Monday morning.

The district said on its website they don't think any other students or staff were on the ship, but anyone who may have been on board should stay home and notify the school.

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Brian Hardzinski is from Flower Mound, Texas and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He began his career at KGOU as a student intern, joining KGOU full time in 2009 as Operations and Public Service Announcement Director. He began regularly hosting Morning Edition in 2014, and became the station's first Digital News Editor in 2015-16. Brian’s work at KGOU has been honored by Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI), the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters, and local and regional chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. Brian enjoys competing in triathlons, distance running, playing tennis, and entertaining his rambunctious Boston Terrier, Bucky.
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