Officials: Ohio has gear, training, monitoring in place for Ebola, and no cases

COLUMBUS

Health officials sought to assure Ohioans today that the state is well prepared to handle any potential Ebola outbreaks, with increased training completed, additional protective gear purchased and more than 150 residents being monitored for any signs of infection.

“I think we’re in a good place,” said Christopher Braden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, who is heading the federal agency’s efforts in Ohio.

“We still have some time before we’re out of the woods, but we’re at a place in the response at this point where we can take a deep breath and reflect on the week and do what’s needed to go forward.”

Braden offered his perceptions during a conference call with reporters one week after reports that a Texas nurse diagnosed with Ebola had spent a weekend in the Akron area.

A total of 164 people statewide are under some level of monitoring, including three under quarantine and 17 who are checked daily by public health officials. The rest are keeping tabs on their own conditions, watching for fevers or other symptoms.

“At this point, we believe that we have identified all of the contacts,” said Mary DiOrio, state epidemiologist. She added, “We are a week into our response. There are zero cases of Ebola in Ohio.”

Read more about the situation in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.