Statement from Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez on the health and safety of residents and visitors

(MIAMI, October 5, 2014) – “Miami-Dade County and my administration are committed to the health and safety of our residents and visitors. Whenever necessary, we coordinate efforts with federal, state and local health officials to ensure that the County is doing all it can to minimize health risks for our residents and visitors.

“This morning I was briefed on actions that our local health officials had taken in a specific case here in Miami-Dade County. Due to patient privacy rules, the County is limited in what information we can provide. However, our residents and visitors should rest assured that despite the fact that this patient who was visiting our area did not meet the test criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control, and that it is unlikely that they have Ebola, out of an abundance of caution I requested that the test still be conducted.  Again, at this time, we have no reason to believe that this patient is infected with the virus. My administration will continue to monitor the situation.

“I am confident that the protocol we have in place will safeguard the public from serious health risks."