Gov. Bentley And Health Officials Say Alabama Is “Ebola-Ready”
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As we learn more about the death of Thomas Duncan, Alabama health officials are doing their part should the the virus arrive in Alabama. Governor Robert Bentley and Alabama health officials are developing a response plan.
Governor Bentley says if the virus spreads here, there is a plan that would allow to state to respond quickly and effectively. The Alabama Department of Public Health and Alabama hospital association have also partnered to make sure health care officials know the steps to identify a person with Ebola.
Hospitals are also putting signs in front of their doors telling people to stay outside if they have flu-like symptoms and have traveled to West Africa, that way medics and make sure others don’t get infected. Every hospital in the sate also has an “isolation room” to treat the patient there.
The Alabama Hospital Association has provided a checklist to all Alabama hospitals from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The checklist provides practical and specific suggestions to ensure hospital staffs are able to detect Ebola cases, protect employees, and respond appropriately to patients,” Said Gov. Bentley.
So what about other physicians offices?
The Governor says they have not received the tool kits but they are required to ask patients with flu-like symptoms where they’ve traveled. If that person says they’ve traveled to West Africa, that’s when physicians will take the necessary steps for prevention..
ADPH is required to alert the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within four hours of an Ebola diagnosis.
Watch Alabama News Network at 5 p.m. to hear from state health officers and hospital officials.
