The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta confirmed that the laboratory technician who might have been infected by the Ebola virus has not shown signs of the disease, according to CBC.
The unnamed female technician is currently in her second week of incubation after an accident occurred in CDC's facility on Dec. 22.
Last Monday, the technician was working on supposed inactivated specimens of the disease. However, reports indicated that the samples may have contained live Ebola virus.
Aside from the technician, 12 other scientists entered the facility where the samples were being held. But the CDC noted that the female technician was the only one who was exposed to the potentially live virus.
"Only one technician was exposed," the government-appointed head for the Ebola response told CBC. "So far she's showing no signs of having the disease. She's being monitored every day."
The CDC noted that the chances of the technician being infected with a live Ebola virus are relatively low. The agency also assured members of the public that CDC's facilities are secured and they are not at risk of being exposed to the disease.
"There was no possible exposure outside the secure laboratory at CDC and no exposure or risk to the public," the agency's spokesperson Barbara Reynolds told Reuters.
Following Monday's incident, CDC Director Tom Frieden said in a statement that the technician has been placed under observation and the agency has taken necessary steps to ensure the safety of its personnel, Bloomberg reported.
"I am troubled by this incident in our Ebola research laboratory in Atlanta," he stated. "We are monitoring the health of one technician who could possibly have been exposed and I directed that there be a full review of every aspect of the incident and that the CDC take all necessary measures."
"Thousands of laboratory scientists in more than 150 labs throughout CDC have taken extraordinary steps in recent months to improve safety," Frieden added, "No risk to staff is acceptable, and our efforts to improve lab safety are essential - the safety of our employees is our highest priority."
