Clearing up Ebola Misconceptions, Is Montgomery Prepared?

by Ellis Eskew

A state health official is clearing up any misconceptions about ebola and other viruses.

Thursday evening, Dr. Mary McIntyre, State Epidemiologist, was in Montgomery for a seminar at Frazer United Methodist Church.
She went over the misconceptions of ebola, stating in order to have the virus you must have risk factors. They include being in a country with widespread ebola outbreak or working closely with a patient with ebola.
Ebola is only spread by handling bodily fluids of an infected patient.

EMA Director Calvin Brown says he is confident should there ever be a real ebola threat, Montgomery is ready.

“If it does present itself here, we’re prepared. We can handle it. We’re going to keep the public safe, the patient safe, hospitals safe and our first responders safe,” said Brown.

While some may worry about Ebola, Dr. McIntyre says there another illness you need to worry about. The flu.

“We have hundreds of people who die. In Alabama alone, we estimate that 500 people per year die from influenza,” said Dr. McIntyre.

Dr. McIntyre says remembering to wash hands, cover cough and stay home if you are sick are definitely ways you can keep from spreading the flu or even the common cold.
Getting a flu shot can help protect you as well.