N.Y.C. Quarantines People Close To Doctor Infected With Ebola

Three other people in New York City have been quarantined  after it was discovered that a doctor returning from Guinea had the Ebola virus. 

Dr. Craig Spencer, a member of Doctors Without Borders, had been working in Guinea to treat Ebola patients before returning to New York City two weeks ago. The aid worker sought treatment at Bellevue Hospital after suffering from diarrhea and a 100 degree temperature last Thursday night. Bellevue reportedly has an isolation unit equip for dealing with the Ebola virus.

Spencer's fiancé and two friends have reportedly been put in quarantine after having close contact with him for the past several days, although they are not showing any symptoms. Spencer reportedly rode on New York City subways, took cabs and went bowling since returning from Guinea.

Despite the doctor's presence in many public places, officials in New York City are reassuring residents that their chances of contracting Ebola are slim, as Spencer was not showing any symptoms until Thursday and any germs from the virus can live on a dry surface for a few hours.

"We want to state at the outset that New Yorkers have no reason to be alarmed" NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement Friday. "New Yorkers who have not been exposed are not at all at risk."

As a precaution, the bowling alley visited by Spencer has been closed, and authorities are reportedly checking the patient's metrocard to see what subway lines he may have used. It has been reported that he used the L train.

According to CNN, Dr. Mary Travis Bassett, NYC's health commissioner, said that "At the time that the doctor was on the subway he did not have fever […] he was not symptomatic."