Officials: Ebola outbreak unlikely in West Tennessee
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WEST JACKSON — Local health officials say West Tennesseans should not panic about the recent discovery of Ebola in Texas. In the event a deadly outbreak makes its way here, Shanna Shearon with the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department said they are ready. “We already have infection control procedures in place,” Shearon said. “The universal precautions that we already use with infectious diseases will be the same protocol we follow with this disease.” The health department said they have mobile response units to treat patients outside of hospitals. Shearon said an outbreak in Tennessee is unlikely. “We don’t have it naturally occurring here, so it has to be brought in from overseas from outside the country, which is what happened in Texas,” she said. Officials said only those traveling to or from countries in West Africa should be concerned. Some West Tennesseans think airports could become breeding grounds for the virus. “The states where there’s international flight coming in will be a problem,” Jackson resident Mick Bicknell said. Health experts said people infected with Ebola are only contagious after they start to show symptoms. Experts said the best thing to do to prevent the spread of disease is wash hands frequently. Regional Hospital said the first response to anyone with Ebola symptoms is to place them in isolation. Medical personnel would wear protective gowns, masks, face shields and gloves while treating the patient. Visitors would not be allowed into the room.
