CHATTANOOGA HOSPITALS PREPARE FOR EBOLA VIRUS

o-EBOLA-facebookPeople across the United States are on high alert after the first case of the Ebola virus is confirmed in Texas.

“I have no doubt that we’ll stop this in its tracks in the U.S.” Centers for Disease Control Tom Frieden said.

Many wonder if the virus could end up in the Scenic City.

“Everyone is treated as if they’re positive. We provide barriers, safe protection for employees and then we have isolation rooms that are vented directly to the outside so it’s not re-circulated in the air,” Erlanger Hospital President and CEO Kevin Spiegel said.

Local health leaders stress the chance of a widespread outbreak in the U.S. is low because of the universal precautions medical professionals already practice. The virus spreads through direct contact of bodily fluids from someone infected with the virus which also makes the chance of a widespread outbreak unlikely.

“Ebola doesn’t spread before someone gets sick and he didn’t get sick until four days after he got off the airplane,” Frieden added.

Even with one of the strongest healthcare systems in the world, medical leaders are ready to treat cases.