It hasn't shown up here yet, but health officials in the Quad Cities say they're ready to treat patients with Ebola. At a news conference today, representatives of Genesis and Trinity hospitals, the Rock Island and Scott county health departments, and the two ambulance services all said they have the right equipment, they've been practicing, and they know what to do.
Doctor Louis Katz, medical director for the Scott County Health Department, says in west Africa where even routine health care is not available, thousands of people have been infected so far. But in the US, there are only 6.
Doctor Paul McLoone, chief medical officer for Unity Point Health-Trinity, says his staff continues to practice, and is ready to provide the appropriate treatment.
And he says, when people go to the hospital in the coming weeks, they should expect to see doctors, nurses, and other staff taking more precautions and wearing more protective equipment than usual.
Katz emphasizes thousands of Americans will die from the flu this year, while only a few are likely to die from Ebola.