State Health Officials Discuss How Pa. Is Preparing For Possible Ebola
By Kim Glovas
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Ebola virus was discussed before the Pennsylvania House Emergency Preparedness Committee Thursday.
Top officials from the State Health Department testified before the committee on what is being done in Pennsylvania in the event of an Ebola outbreak.
Glenn Cannon, director of Pennsylvania's Emergency Management Agency, says protective equipment is being stockpiled for first responders, but the key is screening the first call at the 9-1-1 center:
"That gives us that early warning on how we need to approach that situation. It's kind of the more information you can get before you roll in on a fire, all that let's you pre-plan your attack. This is the same thing, but it's just a different hazard."
Doctor Carrie DeLone, the state's physician general, says symptoms for Ebola are similar to the flu and other ailments:
"The key to diagnosing Ebola is that travel history. Were you in one of these three countries -- Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea -- within the last 21 days or were you exposed to someone who was actually sick with Ebola?"
Officials say the risk of Ebola is low, but they want to be ready for any possibility.