BREAKING: Suspected Case of Ebola in Mobile

UPDATE: The Mobile County Health Department released this statement: Doctors with the Mobile County Health Department on Tuesday afternoon evaluated a patient who reported having gastrointestinal symptoms. The patient also reported having been in contact with people who traveled from the Republic of Congo more than 45 days ago. Because of the patient’s reported symptoms and other factors, health officials decided the individual should be further evaluated by infectious disease specialists at an area hospital.

“I commend our fire rescue and emergency workers for their response,” said Dr. Bernard Eichold, Health Officer for Mobile County. Because of federal privacy laws, no other information can be provided about the patient. UPDATE: Bernard Eichold with the Mobile County Health Department said in a news conference the decision by the health department to take the patient to the hospital came around 4 p.m. He didn't know what time specifically the patient came into the health department. Then it took time for health professionals to decide which route to take to get the patient to USA Medical Center. Eichold said Mobile Fire-Rescue made the decision to use its protective equipment to transport the patient to the hospital. UPDATE: Bernard Eichold with the Mobile County Health Department says the patient came into the health dept. earlier this afternoon. He said, "Our team felt she needed to have specialty evaluation." As far as who came in contact with the patient, Eichold said it was a "very limited number." He said, "People maintained a safe distance when dealing with the patient. We did not draw blood or any biological fluids from her. She was not in acute distress in her symptoms." ORIGINAL STORY MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) Mobile-Fire Rescue tells Local 15 News they are transporting a suspected Ebola patient to USA Medical Center. MFR spokesperson Steve Huffman tells Local 15 News they got a call from the Mobile County Health Department Tuesday that a woman showed up with symptoms associated with the Ebola virus. It is just suspected, not a confirmed case. The woman told officials she had family that had been to west Africa. Officials with the Mobile County Health Department say the patient has not been to an area where there is an Ebola outbreak. They say there is an 'extremely low probability' that the patient has Ebola. Local 15 News has crews headed to the hospital. We will update this story with any new information.