5-year-old boy in New York City tests negative for Ebola virus

NEW YORK -- A 5-year-old boy who had traveled to West Africa has tested negative for Ebola after having possible symptoms of the virus, health officials say.

The New York City Department of Health and the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation released the following joint statement:

"The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene conducted a test for the Ebola virus on a minor patient who had been transferred to HHC Bellevue Hospital Center (Sunday) night. This patient developed a fever this morning while under observation at the hospital, and had been in one of the three Ebola epidemic countries in West Africa within the past 21 days. The result of the test is negative. Out of an abundance of caution, further negative Ebola tests are required on subsequent days to ensure that the patient is cleared. The patient will also be tested for common respiratory viruses. The patient will remain in isolation until all test results have returned. Because of the heightened alert, hospitals will be using enhanced scrutiny and an abundance of caution when reviewing questionable cases, and are meticulously following all public health and CDC protocols. The Health Department is also working closely with HHC leadership, Bellevue's clinical team and the New York State Department of Health. The chances of the average New Yorker contracting Ebola are extremely slim. Ebola is spread by directly touching the bodily fluids of an infected person. You cannot be infected simply by being near someone who has Ebola."

The boy was brought to Bellevue Hospital Sunday night. He did not initially have a fever, but while at the hospital, he developed a low grade fever. He had returned home to New York City Saturday after traveling to Guinea with his family.

The boy's mother is not showing any symptoms, and health officials had been in the process of tracing the patient's contacts and whereabouts in recent days.

"We hope to have positive news but in the event we don't, we know that everything has been handled right," Mayor Bill de Blasio said prior to the test results being released. "We know the family has just gotten here, so in terms of retracing steps, that will be an easier process."

"The child was showing some sign of illness but it's not clear what kind of illness it was," the mayor added. "We did the cautious thing and brought the child in under the protocol. It may turn out we have something here, or it may turn out the child is sick with something totally different."

A spokesman for Bellevue Hospital, Ian Michaels, said the family is with the child. He also said earlier reports that the boy had a 103-degree fever were inaccurate.

The family lives on East 173rd Street in the Soundview section of the Bronx, where the mother called just after 9 p.m. Sunday to report her son was sick.

Meanwhile, the doctor who became infected with Ebola remains in serious, but stable condition as he undergoes treatment at Bellevue.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation said that Dr. Craig Spencer is experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms and "is entering the next phase of his illness."

HHC said Spencer is receiving antiviral therapy as well as plasma therapy. The therapies have been used to treat Ebola patients at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta and at the Nebraska Medical Center.

Spencer received a plasma transfusion from Nancy Writebol, the U.S. aid worker who contracted Ebola while treating patients in Liberia but was later cured. They have the same blood type.

Mayor de Blasio visited the isolation unit where Spencer is being treated. After Sunday's visit, he said New Yorkers shouldn't be alarmed about contracting the disease that has killed nearly 5,000 people, mostly in West Africa. De Blasio added that Spencer was "looking better."

The mayor and health officials note that Ebola is difficult to contract. It has to be transmitted through bodily fluids.

Many have criticized Spencer for not staying indoors after returning from Guinea, but de Blasio said this should not be a case of blaming the victim.

"This is a hero who went to fight for all of us," he said. "We need more good men and women like that and they need to know that we will have their back every step of the way."

Dr. Spencer's fiancee, Morgan Dixon, is being quarantined in her Hamilton Heights apartment, where she will remain for 21 days. The apartment was thoroughly sterilized after Spencer was diagnosed with Ebola.

"She is required to stay in that apartment, she is able to receive deliveries to that apartment, but she is unfortunately not allowed to receive visitors," said the city's deputy health commissioner, Dr. Jay Varma.

City officials stressed that Dixon and two other people Spencer came in contact with are completely healthy.

Spencer is the only confirmed Ebola case in New York.

His case prompted the governors of New York and New Jersey to declare a mandatory quarantine for travelers who have been exposed to Ebola in West Africa.

Outside Bellevue Monday, a group of leaders in the HIV/AIDS response called on New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to rescind the policy he announced Friday of mandatory quarantining of people who have been in close proximity to people with Ebola.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.