New York doctor tests positive for Ebola

A New York doctor who recently returned from west Africa has tested positive for Ebola in preliminary tests.

It has been confirmed the doctor is a 33-year-old man who had recently worked for Doctors Without Borders in Guinea.

It has been reported he is Harlem man Dr Craig Spencer.

The man arrived at JFK Airport on October 17 and was well and without any symptoms.

His contacts are already being traced, but New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said it was believed he had not been in touch with many people since returning to the US.

He said "every protocol" had been followed.

The doctor has been transported to Bellevue Hospital, one of eight designated Ebola treatment centres in the state of New York.

Health officials at Bellevue Hospital held a press conference a short time ago, confirming a young male doctor had tested positive for Ebola, urging New Yorkers to remain calm.

"There is no reason for New Yorkers to be alarmed ... we have clear and strong protocols which are being followed," a spokesman for Bellevue Hospital said.

"The patient is now in isolation ... Ebola is very difficult to contract."

A second official said it was important people remember Ebola is not airborne, and that the young doctor had monitored his own symptoms before contacting health authorities.

"The more facts you know, the less frightening the situation is," he said.

"We believe there are four people he came into contact with ... we have already been in contact with all four people.

"We have the situation under control."

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will perform another test to confirm the initial one.

Results are expected to come back within the next 24 hours.

A spokeswoman at the hospital said the doctor had monitored his temperature twice a day since returning, and had not felt unwell until Wednesday when he began feeling fatigued.

He had not shown any symptoms until yesterday when he contracted a fever, however he is yet to show advanced symptoms such as vommiting, diarrhea or blood loss.

The doctor came into contact with his fiancée, however she is not showing any symptoms and has been quarantined.

Two friends and an Uber driver also came into contact with the young doctor, and one of the four people is currently in hospital.

The doctor attempted to self-isolate after feeling unwell, and health authorities have since quaratined his apartment to ensure safety.