UPDATE: Newark Airport Passenger Showing Ebola Signs Is Asymptomatic; Will Be Released From Hospital

Gov. Chris Christie, during a press conference Wednesday, said the West African passenger at Newark Airport who was hospitalized for Ebola-like symptoms has been found to be asymptomatic.

In a press conference televised by News 12 , Christie said he anticipates that the passenger will be released from the hospital after being interviewed by the CDC, .

The response-and-readiness press conference was scheduled before the passenger was discovered on Tuesday because of a rigorous screening process at the airport, which was implemented by the state on Oct. 16.

As previously reported on Patch, The Newark incident was the latest in a series of episodes involving cases where people were identified as having Ebola-like symptoms. In nearly all these cases, the test results have proven to be negative. There are only three confirmed U.S. cases: Thomas Eric Duncan, a Liberian man who died from the virus in a Dallas hospital, and of two nurses who treated him.

This morning, Governor Christie signed Executive Order 164, creating the Ebola Virus Disease Joint Response Team, an order that will “direct and coordinate” the state’s public health response to the Ebola crisis, officials from the Governor’s office reported.

The Executive Order indicates that a multi-agency team, consisting of a variety of state agencies and departments, will work together to protect the health and safety of all NJ residents. These agencies include the Department of Health, the NJ State Police, Homeland Security, New Jersey Transit, and the Department of Children and Families.

At today’s press conference, the governor also elaborated on the enhanced screening process at Newark Liberty International Airport, enacted on Oct. 16. The screening process specifically monitors passengers who began their journey at a West African Country.

The screening process includes: temperature checks, visual inspections for symptoms, and history of risk exposure, the Governor’s Office reported.

NJ Department of Health doctors continue to work together with the CDC and area hospitals to mandate passenger screening and follow up. Symptomatic passengers are immediately transferred to University Hospital in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, or Hackensack University Hospital in Hackensack.

If the CDC discovers a passenger who is not showing symptoms, but still has a high risk of exposure, the DOH will determine whether the passenger will be subject to State Quarantine. If such a passenger is detected, state agencies will serve the traveler with the quarantine order.

New Jersey hospital systems are well prepared to care for Ebola patients, the Governor’s Office reported. Hospital systems have been coached on potential “false alarms” that commonly occur with those who display risk factors for the disease.

In addition, Rutgers University is training health educators about prevention tactics, and Commissioner Mary O’Dowd has held briefing calls for 738 hospital officials, county and local health department and EMS leaders.

Other education initiatives include state-sponsored webinars for nurses, and updates from the DOE for school administrators and superintendents. The DOE is also implementing emergency guidelines for schools who may need to close or quarantine groups of symptomatic students.

Support is also being offered to Liberian communities in New Jersey.

“The DOH has distributed information to help educate friends and families returning from West Africa and have attended community meetings with concerned community-based organizations throughout the state,” The Governor’s Office stated.

The Department of Children and Families is prepared to step in to care for the children of Ebola patients, should they need temporary guardianship.

The Office of the Attorney General also plays a key role in the coordination of Executive Order 164. The Attorney General has legal staff on site at Newark Airport to counsel the Office of Homeland Security should any state agency need to take emergency action, including the act of quarantining.

Airport officials work closely with Customs Border Patrol to keep track of the number of passengers screened per flight. In addition, state officials have set up headquarters at the airport in order to make real time decisions in the event of an Ebola detection.

Port Authority is working with Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard who have implemented measures to monitor the arrival of vessels who either have crew members from West African countries or have visited ports in West African countries.

To read more about Ebola preparation and case detection in New Jersey, click here.