Mum's the Word for Health Department on Ebola
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Mum's the Word for Health Department on Ebola

Date: November 20, 2014
By: Brendan Cullerton
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
A Jefferson County man is being evaluated for Ebola in a Jefferson County hospital after a trip to West Africa, but the state Health Department won't divulge any information. KMOX's Brendan Cullerton has more on the silence from public officials on Ebola.
RunTime:  1:00
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Weeks after Senate appropriations chair Kurt Schaefer slammed the health department for not having an Ebola plan, a Jefferson county hospital is evaluating a nurse for the virus.

We tried getting information from the health department--to which a vial containing the patient's blood has been sent--on the situation but to no avail.

Here is what department officials said when I called asking for any information on the patient.

Actuality:  HEALTHDP.WAV
Run Time:  00:26
Description: "Is there not a number I can call?" "This is the correct number" "Ok" "OK" "Is there anyone there I could talk now?" "Right now no." "Everyone's busy or?" "I could take a message and have them give you a call back." "Ok..is there a reason I can't talk to them now or...?" "I'm sorry I just, I just don't have anyone available."
 
We not received a call back from the department for more than an hour after that conversation.
 
Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Brendan Cullerton.