Regional health officials plan Ebola response

by Rick Nelson

Health officials and service providers are preparing for the possiblity that the Ebola virus may arrive in the region.

Speaking Tuesday before the Wahkiakum County board of commissioners, county health officer Dr. Sarah Present said health officials feel very confident that the threat of Ebola's arrival is very low.

State health departments in both Washington and Oregon have had response teams on low level alerts for three weeks, she said.

"Here in Wahkiakum County, we are at very low risk," she said. "In Washington, there have been no reported cases or suspected cases; health officials are monitoring seven people who have traveled in western Africa. In Oregon, a woman who might have been exposed was tested and found not to have the virus. She is being monitored.

"In Washington, seven people are under monitoring."

The viral disease originates in equatorial Africa and affecting Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. It is spread through contact with bodily fluids of people who have developed symptoms.

"A person must have symptoms to be able to spread the disease," Dr. Present said. "They don't transmit unless they're symptomatic."

People entering the United States from affected countries are tracked, and health officials in their destination cities are notified.

Hospitals and their staffs, including those in Longview and Vancouver, have set up training and procedures to handle suspected cases, she said.

There are four risk levels:

1. High risk: The person was exposed to bodily fluids of a symptomatic patient while not wearing protective gear.

2. Some risk: The person was exposed while wearing protective gear.

3. Low risk: The person traveled with someone with Ebola exposure or to a place where Ebola was present.

4. No risk: The person hasn't been near a person with Ebola or to a place where it occurs.

A person with high risk would be monitored for symptoms twice a day for a while and then daily for 21 days. A high risk person would have little travel and no public contact.

A person with some risk would have more movement but limited public contact.

A person with some risk would be free to travel; health officers would discuss the situation with them.

"If somebody is not complying, we do have quarantine laws that can be enforced," she said.

Public health officials are working with hospitals and emergency medical personnel so they can be ready to handle an Ebola patient.

Sue Cameron, director of Wahkiakum Health and Human Services, said the health department will prepare an informational flyer and program to educate the public about Ebola.

Even though there is little risk from Ebola in this area, and more risk from disease such as influenza, it is natural for people to have fear and concern about the disease, Dr. Present said.

"We need to address that fear," she said.