LA County Dept. Of Public Health Prepared For Potential Ebola Outbreak
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Local health officials are prepared if Ebola hits the Southland after the first confirmed case of the virus was diagnosed in the United States.
"We do not anticipate an outbreak of Ebola to occur here, however if a suspected case of Ebola should occur, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is well-prepared and equipped to swiftly respond," said Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser. "Public Health has been actively preparing for a possible case of Ebola in Los Angeles County. Public Health is confident that the level of precaution required to protect against Ebola is well within the capabilities of all hospitals in Los Angeles County."
The health department has also been distributing flyers at LAX to international travelers warning them to alert airport staff immediately if they start showing symptoms.
Symptoms include high fever, head ache, sore throat, joint and muscle aches, weakness, stomach pain and lack of appetite.
Doctors at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas are treating a man infected with the Ebola virus.
The patient flew to the U.S. on Sept. 20 from Liberia, which is the epicenter of the worst outbreak in history, to visit family.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the man was not a threat to other passengers on his flight and believe exposure to others was minimal.
"It's only spread by direct contact by someone who is sick with the virus and it's only spread through body fluids," Dr. Tom Frieden said.
Local health officials do not anticipate a local Ebola outbreak, however, all area hospitals are equipped to handle an infected patient.
There have been no suspected cases of Ebola in LA County.
For more information about the virus, visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's website.