Health and Science

NYC hospital testing ill patient after Africa trip

A New York City hospital is testing a patient who recently traveled to a west African country stricken by the Ebola virus.

Mount Sinai Hospital said the man arrived at its emergency room Monday morning with a high fever and gastrointestinal complaints.

"The patient has been placed in strict isolation and is undergoing medical screenings to determine the cause of his symptoms. All necessary steps are being taken to ensure the safety of all patients, visitors and staff," the hospital said in a statement.

The hospital provided an update on the patient Monday evening, saying that the patient remains in isolation.

"Using an abundance of caution, we're going to work with the CDC" to determine whether the patient has Ebola, a hospital official said. "Odds are, this is not Ebola. It's likely to be a much more common condition."

The CDC will likely receive samples from the patient by Monday night, and the results should be available within 24 to 48 hours.

—CNBC.com Staff