[Barefoot]

I'm not sure if we're allowed to copy an article from the online newspaper and post it here.
If not, the Mods will make it disappear.
I thought this was an interesting article .....
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Marion County Fire Rescue initiates Ebola Virus preparedness meeting
October 8, 2014

Marion County Fire Rescue this week held a meeting with representatives from the local medical community to discuss preparing and protecting citizens in the event that Marion County experiences a case of the Ebola virus.

“As of right now, Marion County is not at heightened risk for Ebola cases. However, it is our job as medical professionals to plan and prepare for worst case scenarios,” said Dr. Frank Fraunfelter, Marion County Medical Director.

In addition to MCFR officials and the medical director, representatives from Ocala Regional Medical Center, Munroe Regional Medical Center, the Florida Department of Health in Marion County and the Marion County Public Safety Communications Department attended the meeting.

As a result, dispatchers at the Marion County Public Safety Communications Center will be asking callers if they have traveled outside the country in the past 30 days. Rescue crews will be notified if a patient who is experiencing Ebola-like symptoms has also recently traveled to West Africa. This notification will trigger crews to wear additional protective gear at the scene and while treating the patient.

Currently there are no reported Ebola cases, or potential Ebola cases, in Marion County. However, with international touch-points such as Orlando, Tampa and Miami nearby, officials felt it prudent to be proactive in developing a “what-if plan” for working together should a local case arise.

MCFR and all Marion County hospitals will follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines for infection control policies and procedures, which include, but are not limited to, familiarizing staff with the appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE), what to do if staff becomes at increased risk for contracting the virus due to direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected person and what procedures should not be performed on an infected patient.

Attached you will find additional information from the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More information is available at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

Here are a few facts about the Ebola virus:

· Ebola symptoms include fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain and lack of appetite, and in some cases bleeding.

· Those who have not traveled to West Africa in the past 30 days, and/or have not had contact with a person who has visited this area, are unlikely to contract Ebola.

· Ebola is spread through direct contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids (blood, vomit, sweat or semen).

· Ebola is not transmitted through water or food.