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Health officials offer messages about Ebola
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
State health officials have a couple of messages to Ohioans concerning Ebola and fears of its spread in the state.
First, get the facts about the virus and take appropriate precautions.
And second, calm down.
“This is our message to the general public: The average Ohioan doesn’t need to be concerned about Ebola — only individuals who travel to and from West Africa where the Ebola outbreak is occurring or individuals in close contact with someone ill with Ebola,” said Mary DiOrio, the state epidemiologist and interim head of the Ohio Department of Health’s Division of Prevention and Health Promotion.
DiOrio was among the health officials who gathered at the state’s emergency operations center in suburban Columbus on Tuesday to discuss the Ebola situation nationally and abroad and review state and local response plans.
The group also answered questions from reporters during a midday conference call.
“We know that many people are anxious about Ebola, and we want to educate them about the virus so that they can rely on facts instead of misinformation,” said Richard Hodges, director of the Ohio Department of Health.
“And we want them to know that Ohio has been actively preparing for Ebola since late July and that we are coming together today to build on and strengthen our preparedness.”
The session included representatives of the Ohio Hospital Association, the Ohio Medical Association, the Association of Ohio Health Commissioners and the Department of Public Safety.
DiOrio said Ebola is spread through contact with bodily fluids and blood of those who have been infected.
She urged anyone who has traveled to West Africa or had contact with someone who has to check for fever or other symptoms. The latter can resemble the flu and may lead to an influx of patients in doctor’s offices and emergency rooms.
Hodges added, “If you have not been exposed to somebody who has Ebola or has traveled extensively in West Africa and is not sick, then you’re not going to get Ebola.”
At least one state lawmaker has voiced concern about the state’s preparedness for dealing with outbreaks.
State Rep. Bob Hagan of Youngstown, D-58th, sent a letter to Hodges asking for details of response plans.
“We, as a global community, are currently in the midst of the largest Ebola outbreak in history,” Hagan wrote.
“Despite the outbreak greatly affecting countries in Western Africa, we live in such an interconnected world that the disease has already infected and killed individuals in Europe and the United States. In light of this ongoing outbreak, I believe it is imperative that Ohio has adequate protocols in place to treat any future infected individuals in our state and to prevent transmission at that time.”
More details can be found online at www.odh.ohio.gov.