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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

First U.S. Ebola Diagnosis is Identified; Turkish Parliament Votes Today; Protesters in Hong Kong Asking Top Official to Resign

Aired October 02, 2014 - 04:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Alarming new information about a man sick with Ebola in Texas. The hospital mistake that left him untreated, contagious and in the general population for days. And the many people he may have exposed to the virus before being taken into isolation.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The Secret Service director stepping down after a series of blunders that could have put the first family in danger. So who now will be charged with keeping the president safe?

ROMANS: There could be new help in the war on ISIS. Turkey deciding today on whether to send in troops as the terrorists gain crucial ground -- crucial new ground in Syria. We are live near the battlefield ahead.

BERMAN: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.

ROMANS: I'm Christine Romans. It is Thursday, October 2nd, it is 4:00 a.m. in the East.

BERMAN: And this morning we have new information and new fears about Ebola as several people, including school children in Dallas, are being watched closely by medical officials.

Now we have new details about the first person to be diagnosed with Ebola in the United States. He is Thomas Eric Duncan. A 42-year-old Liberian citizen. On September 15th in Monrovia, Duncan assisted a pregnant woman who later died of Ebola. He was just trying to help.

Four days later, he flew to Dallas to visit family and friends. The CDC says that four or five days after that, he developed symptoms, but was initially turned away from a Dallas hospital. Then on September 28th, Duncan's nephew Josephus Weeks became so frustrated that Duncan was not getting care, he called the CDC.

Then finally Duncan was admitted to the hospital. And worried family members are now waiting to hear word of his condition.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPHUS WEEKS, NEPHEW OF THOMAS ERIC DUNCAN: It's very stressful. We just want -- I mean, we appreciate as much help as we can get because Eric just got here. He contracted the stuff and now he needs to pay back the hospital. We're still here. We will not sleep just like you. We feel the pain. We feel the pain. We just hope and pray that Eric survives the night. And we just -- we got our hopes up for him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Meanwhile, we now know that Duncan had contact with at least a dozen people during that period that he was symptomatic, that he had Ebola symptoms. That is such a dangerous period and among these group of people, children.

Our chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta now has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, John and Christine, there is no question what happened was very historic. A patient being diagnosed in the United States with Ebola. It's never happened before. In fact a patient has never been diagnosed with Ebola outside of Africa. But it's happened now. And it raises some concerns.

And then I'll also, I will tell you, it was not that unexpected. Patients getting on planes in these West Africa countries, they're not sick, but they're carrying the Ebola virus in their bodies. They're in what's called the incubation period. That can last up to 21 days. And they can travel anywhere in the world during that time.

So it's surprising it'll happen. And it's likely to happen again in the United States and many other countries around the world. Unfortunately, what happened regarding this first patient and the missteps regarding his diagnosis and early treatment is unfortunate. But hopefully it sends a clear message to hospitals and emergency room departments around the country that it should not happen again.

John and Christine, back to you.

ROMANS: All right, thanks, Sanjay, for that.

You know, the Dallas hospital that initially turned Duncan away is now investigating that misstep. Officials at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital say Duncan came to the ER with a low-grade fever and abdominal pain. But his symptoms did not warrant admission. What doctors reviewing the case did not learn was that Duncan had told a nurse he was visiting from West Africa. A U.S. official tells CNN that was clearly, quote, "a screw up."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He volunteered that he had traveled from Africa in response to the nurse operating the checklist and asking that question. Regretfully that information was not fully communicated throughout the full team.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: During those few days between Duncan's first symptoms and admission to the hospital, everyone he came in contact with may have been exposed to Ebola. Health officials are closely watching 12 to 18 people, John, who had contact with Duncan for symptoms. They include five children who attend four different area schools and that has the Dallas public school system scrambling to reassure nervous parents.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It has been confirmed that five students may have come in contact with an individual recently diagnosed with the Ebola virus.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I am concerned that if my son gets fever or anything like that, I will definitely immediately take him to the emergency.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: I can imagine their concern right now.

As for Thomas Eric Duncan himself, Texas Health Presbyterian says he is currently in serious condition.

Meanwhile, WFAA, affiliate down there, is reporting that Dallas health officials are closely monitoring one other person who had what they call very close contact with Duncan. This could be a second potential Ebola patient.

These are such critical days right now as they follow all of these people this man was in contact with.

ROMANS: All right. The U.S. is ramping up production of a promising Ebola drug. According to the "New York Times," federal officials are in talks with the pharmaceutical company in Texas to produce ZMapp in tobacco plants. And two huge charities, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Welcome Trust, are looking into producing the drug at animal cells.

But even with new attempts to increase production ZMapp takes time to produce and supply will fall short if the epidemic spreads. It still unclear exactly how effective ZMapp is. The drug has helped a few people, including two American aid workers infected in Liberia but use has been limited to -- too limited, really, to draw any conclusions.

About six minutes past the hour not a good morning for stocks so far. Asian and European stocks are down. Futures are barely moving. The Dow plunged almost 240 points yesterday.

Watching those pharmaceutical stocks at the market because of the Ebola. But also watching airline stocks. There was a moment there yesterday where the airlines stocks, no matter where they operated, were having a little bit of trouble because of the idea of what could happen or what kind of restrictions there could be for airlines.

BERMAN: Right.

ROMANS: If there's a spread of Ebola. BERMAN: Questions and considerations are all they could think about

now.

Other news at six minutes after the hour, the search for the new person to head of the Secret Service under way this morning. Julia Pierson handed her resignation to Homeland Security Director Jeh Johnson on Wednesday after a series of serious lapses, trying to protect the White House and the president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: Director Pierson offered her recommendation -- her resignation today because she believed that it was in the best interest of the agency to which she has dedicated her career. The secretary agreed with that assessment. The president did as well.

Over the last several days, we have seen recent and accumulating reports raising questions about the performance of the agency and the president concluded that new leadership of the agency was required.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Recent and accumulating reports. In other words, there were some pretty big issues there. But all started -- the recent ones at least -- on September 19th when a fence jumper managed to get through the front door of the White House all the way to the East Room before being tackled. And then, you know, it was inevitable she would resign after the news that an unscreened armed man had been allowed to ride in an elevator with the president which is a violation of many Secret Service protocols.

The retired head of President Obama's protective detail Joseph Clancy has been named acting director of the Secret Service. Right now he works for Comcast. But this will only be until they find a permanent replacement for Pierson.

ROMANS: All right. The alleged White House fence jumper Omar Gonzalez pleading not guilty to charges that he ran into the presidential mansion carrying a deadly weapon, a knife. A federal court judge ordered a mental competency exam for Gonzalez to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

After his arrest last month investigators found 800 rounds of ammunition, a machete and two hatchets in his car.

BERMAN: ISIS fighters continue their advances in Syria. Sweeping into a Kurdish village on the border with Turkey. This as twin car bombs went off near a school in Syria's third largest city Homs. A Syrian human rights group says at least 45 people were killed, 41 of them children.

There's no immediate claim the responsibility for that attack, although both ISIS and the Nusra Front had been fighting in that area.

Meanwhile, as ISIS continues its attacks on the Turkish border city of Kobani. Turkey's parliament is set to vote in just a few hours on whether to authorize the use of force against ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria. This could be a very big development.

CNN's Arwa Damon is live on the Turkish Syria border. And they could make a key contribution to the coalition fighting against ISIS -- Arwa.

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They could. And it is much-needed assistance especially if we just briefly look at this scene that is behind us. That's smoke. And I don't know if you can see it in the distance. That is artillery that we believe is being fired by ISIS fighters landing on the very outskirts of the town of Kobani that has been under siege for nearly two weeks right now.

Despite the fact that there have been airstrikes in this area, targeting some of the ISIS weaponry, some of the positions that they have, ISIS has still continued to manage to push forward closing in on this town despite calls for additional assistance from this coalition. Now the vote that is going to be taking place later on today.

Turkey back in 2007 began passing a resolution that authorized the military to launch cross border incursions into northern Iraq. They were going after the PKK, the Kurdish separatists group. In 2012, Turkey again launching or putting on the table a similar resolution that then authorized should the need arise cross-border incursions to go after terrorist targets.

The vote taking place later on today. That is a resolution that effectively combines the prior two resolutions into Turkey's broader war on terror and could lay the framework and give the Turkish government the authority to join this coalition.

And that is something that we have increasingly been hearing the Turkish government, the president say that this is a step they want to take. That Turkey cannot stand idly by watching what is happening just across its borders and not take even more concrete action, although, at this stage, despite the rhetoric about joining the coalition, there have been no measures taken to do so.

But this resolution most certainly continuing the authority of the government should it deem it necessary to launch cross-border incursions both into northern Iraq and Syria.

BERMAN: And of course, those Turkish airfields could be huge as well in terms of the airstrikes possibilities in Syria and Iraq.

Arwa Damon, on the border, thanks so much.

Meanwhile, ISIS is making new advances toward Baghdad this morning. But there is some good news for the U.S. and the coalition. We'll tell you what that is. We're going to live to Iraq in about 30 minutes.

ROMANS: Right. A mystery virus sickening hundreds of kids across the country. It's now linked to the deaths of several children. What we are learning new this morning. Ahead. BERMAN: Plus a father finding his daughter 12 years after she was

kidnapped. He is sharing his story, that's next.

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ROMANS: More than 500 people in 42 states and Washington, D.C. are now sickened by enterovirus D68. The number of cases tripling in just two weeks and now federal health officials investigating whether this virus contributed to four deaths, including 10-year-old Emily Otrando of Cumberland, Rhode Island. She died 11 days ago. State health officials confirming she did test positive for D68.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. MICHAEL FINE, DIRECTOR, R.I. HEALTH DEPARTMENT: She got a little short of breath. Her parents didn't think much about it. Took her to the hospital. And really by the time she got to the hospital, everything fell apart.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: It's happening so swiftly. Hospitals across the country now reporting cases of paralysis in children who are infected with the enterovirus.

BERMAN: The prime suspect in the disappearance of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham is expected in court this morning on a reckless driving charge. Since his arrest Jesse Matthew has been linked to several horrific crimes against what police say that they are looking into possibility of links between Jesse Matthew and other crimes. But his best friend of 25 years is standing by Matthew. A man he calls a giant teddy bear.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL MOORE, MATTHEW'S BEST FRIEND: L.J. is not the type to hurt a fly. L.J., he is a helper. I mean, he wants to help people. So for him to hurt someone, that -- that's odd.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Hannah Graham has been missing since September 13th. Beginning today, authorities will be using unmanned aerial system, really a drone, to help look for her. This is a first in the state of Virginia.

ROMANS: Prosecutors are investigating a possible grand jury leak in the case of Darren Wilson, the Ferguson police officer who shot and killed Michael Brown. A Twitter post from an account in the name of Susan M. Nichols bragged, "I know someone sitting on the grand jury and there isn't enough at this point to warrant an arrest."

The account was quickly deleted when other Twitter users pointed out grand jury proceedings are secret. Prosecutors say they are looking into the matter. BERMAN: George Zimmerman not expected to face federal civil rights

charges for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in 2012. According to law enforcement officials, there is insufficient evidence to charge Zimmerman, who was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the Martin shooting.

An attorney for Martin's parents says they have not heard a final decision from the Justice Department.

ROMANS: His first trial ended with jurors hung on a most serious of charges of first-degree murder. Now a second Florida jury has convicted Michael Dunn of fatally shooting 17-year-old Jordan Davis during an argument that began over loud music.

Dunn had claimed that Davis flashed a gun and he, Dunn, feared for his life. No gun was found. The first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence.

BERMAN: A Massachusetts judge will hear more testimony today in a bit by the defense team for Aaron Hernandez to throw out cell phone evidence at his murder trial. The attorneys for the former NFL star claimed the prosecutors had no right to take the phone which has emerged as a key piece of evidence in the alleged killing of Odin Lloyd last year. They say it was obtained under a false claim of legal authority.

The lead lawyer for Hernandez says he never read the warrant before handing over the phone.

ROMANS: Lawyers for Jodi Arias have filed a motion to dismiss the death penalty, citing what they claimed is a litany of misconduct by the prosecutor and by law enforcement. The motion refers back to the first trial. Arias' attorneys say that Prosecutor Juan Martinez withheld evidence and failed to disclose his witnesses in a timely manner. The motion also accuses Martinez of harassing witnesses and defense attorneys.

BERMAN: New details emerging about Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps and his DUI arrest. Court documents revealed that Phelps had a blood-alcohol level of .14. That's nearly doubled the legal limit in Maryland. Police say Phelps was doing 84 in a 45-mile-per-hour zone. They say he struggled to keep his balance during several field tests. And when asked to stand on one leg, Phelps told an officer, "That's not happening." Then he was arrested.

ROMANS: He has apologized. That's his second DUI, I think.

BERMAN: Puts a lot of people at risk.

ROMANS: Yes.

All right. This morning, a father in Texas is anticipating a reunion with his daughter who was found after she vanished 12 years ago.

Sabrina Allen was 5 years old when she was allegedly kidnapped by her noncustodial mother. There were several unsuccessful rescue attempt made over the years but Sabrina's father Greg Allen says he never gave up hope.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GREG ALLEN, SABRINA'S FATHER: This has been a long road. What wound up happening is we got lucky. I'm going to ask her if I can give her a hug. She is in pretty bad shape is my understanding.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Sabrina was found in Mexico after a secret rescue mission. Her mother has been deported to Texas where she faces charges. Sabrina is currently in care of a clinical psychologist.

Hong Kong protesters calling for change from their government today. Promising to move their demonstration from the streets to government building. Will they get the democracy they demand? We're live in the middle of it all, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Twenty-three minutes past the hour. We are keeping a very close eye on that pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong. The activists giving Hong Kong's chief executive until today to step down. Earlier they staged a sit-in outside his office gates and they say the next step could involve occupying government buildings if their demands for full democratic rights aren't met.

Our Andrew Stevens is in Hong Kong right now.

Andrew, every day, the swell of people very peaceful, very polite, but it gets bigger and bigger and bigger. Is that still happening? And any sign that the government is going to respond to their demands?

ANDREW STEVENS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: First of all, no sign that the government is going to respond to these demands, Christine. It still remains exactly the same line from the government and also from Beijing. This is an illegal and unlawful gathering. And so therefore we will not be listening to these people on the streets. Despite the fact as you say the crowds have been growing and growing.

Having said that, it's now gone 4:00, just about to go 4:30 in the afternoon here. The crowds are considerably smaller than they were at this time yesterday. But again, you do tend to see it swells towards the evening hours.

I just wanted to show you quickly where I am because even though there are fewer people, there are so much support still for the protesters here. These are free food and drink stations. And this is just one of dozens around this protest site. And as you move around here, you'll see also it's not just about food and water, there were -- the police responded to one incursion a few days ago with gas and pepper spray attacks.

And what we have here, the ubiquitous now, umbrella where which is now all over. It's actually being called the umbrella revolution. This is used actually to try to deflect pepper spray.

Next event we have these rain jackets please. These are all aimed at some sort of protection against another move by police to use gas or pepper spray. It just gives you an idea underlining the peaceful and the very, very friendly atmosphere, there is potential still for another confrontation.

We are a few hours away before that deadline ends where the student leaders has said they would reoccupy, they will try and move into government buildings and occupy them. The deadline expires midnight local time if the leader of Hong Kong hasn't stepped down by then, they said then we will start this new campaign.

We don't know exactly when that will start. But obviously, Christine, that raises a whole new level of confrontation, potential confrontation, and potentially a dangerous confrontation.

ROMANS: Absolutely, Andrew Stevens, thank you so much for that this morning. We'll continue to watch and you'll continue to report from there.

BERMAN: Yes.

ROMANS: It's such a remarkable.

BERMAN: Yes, and there's a deadline approaching.

ROMANS: Remarkable.

BERMAN: You know, interesting if they could escalate no sense that Hong Kong or the Chinese authorities will give at all here.

ROMANS: Yes.

BERMAN: All right. 26 minutes after the hour, we have new informqaiton this morning about the Ebola patient in Texas, huge, unfortunate hospital mistake that left him in the general population, while he was contagious for days. Also now the search is on for the many people he came in contact with. That's next.

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