News reaching Tmz Liberia Magazine states that an
unidentified Liberian woman is currently in detention at the Kenosha County
Jail located in South-eastern Wisconsin. According to Fox 6 news Wisconsin, the
unnamed Liberian national flew in from Belgium and was arrested at the Chicago
O’Hare International Airport for an undisclosed immigration violation.
At 1 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8th, the Liberian
national was brought to the jail. Upon arrival, she was screened by official
who realized she is from Liberia a country hard hit by the deadly Ebola virus
disease (EVD). County officials say the woman was brought in as a federal
immigration detainee until she can be deported to her home country Liberia.
Fox 6 News states, while she has not shown any sign
of the virus, the Kenosha County Jail has taken extra precautions by keeping
her in isolation and monitoring for signs of the Ebola virus. Local officials
say they are in close contact with the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) — along with other federal officials.
Fox 6 News quoting Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth
says that they have made contact calls to the CDC about the incident and has
obtained the requisite information on how to handle the detainee.
“We realize it is not just people who enter the
country and visit other people. We have to look into this as a serious threat
too,” said Sheriff Beth.
Kenosha County Jail medical staff is monitoring the
Liberian detainee twice a day — looking for Ebola symptoms with a checklist
from the CDC. Officials have also been in contact with area hospitals as to
what will be done if the detainee does show signs of the virus.
“We currently have the person in the medical ward or
we’re transporting them to the medical ward in a negative airflow cell that we
have. And the medical staff is looking into this and we’re doing an interview
with this person as we speak — and where they’ve traveled and where they’ve
been to,” said Sheriff Beth.
The Kenosha County Jail, usually, houses detainee
for immigration officials on a regular basis, therefore, her presences was not
unusually.
RELATED
DEVELOPMENT
There has been growing concern among Liberians in
the US that they could face possible stigmatization over the Ebola crisis. One
resident in Minnesota told Tmz Liberia Magazine "It would be unfortunate
for us to be treated differently over the Ebola crisis in West Africa. Treating
every person of Liberian origin as potential Ebola carrier is just wrong and
would alienate the community. I do not feel safe anymore ".
Minnesota has been the home to many Africans,
especially those from war-torn countries like Liberia and Somalia. Currently,
it is known as the microcosm of Liberia in the Diasporas. The State has had a
long term relationship with Liberians who are now worried about facing possible
marginalization and stigmatization because of Ebola.
Story by:
Al-Hussein
hussein.fadiga@gmail.com
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