DENVER — We’re learning more about Colorado’s preparedness and response should the Ebola virus make its way into our state.
Leaders in health care and travel are sharing their plans to prevent the virus from spreading here.
“This is the largest Ebola outbreak in history,” says Dr. Larry Wolk, who heads the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The virus has killed 4,555 people so far–just one in the United States, with two other people recovering.
But a group gathered at the state’s health department is working to keep anyone from getting sick and dying from it in the Centennial state.
“We may have thought Ebola was somewhere else. And now we know it’s not just isolated to somewhere else. And we do need to concern ourselves with it as providers and communities,” says Colleen Whalen-Casper of the Colorado Nurses Association.
They tell us what they‘re telling every doctor, nurse, hospital and health department in Colorado, if an Ebola victim walks into their hospital or clinic.
“We have really drilled this down to ask, isolate and call,” says Dr. Wolk.
He says health care providers will ask about travel to Ebola-stricken countries and exposure to the illness.
They’ll isolate the patient in a private room, if they meet the criteria, which include symptoms of fever, diarrhea and vomiting.
Then, they’ll call a hospital [if it’s at a clinic’] and Colorado’s health department.
“We would expect every hospital, every health care provider in the state, to be able to go through these steps,” says Dr. Wolk.
The public also now has a number to call with concerns and questions. It’s 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911. People can also find information online.
But questions are coming from the front line of the Ebola battle too — nurses.
“The folks I’m in contact with are most concerned with clarifying what requirements are specific to Ebola that might be different from what we are familiar with,” says Whalen-Casper.
That concern comes with good reason.
Two nurses in Dallas contracted Ebola before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines Monday night requiring personal protective equipment (PPE) to cover every inch of skin.
They must also be supervised when putting on and taking off protective gear.
“We have confidence that in collaboration with a very complex team, we are getting that done and addressing it here in Colorado,” says Whalen-Casper.
Dr. Wolk also says the health department will monitor people who say they’ve been exposed to Ebola and ensure Ebola medical waste is disposed of properly. \
There are emergency protocols in place with Denver International Airport to include:
- Separating a suspected patient as much as possible from other travelers in the air
- Holding an aircraft a remote distance from the gate until a patient is removed
- Health department gives the remaining passengers the all-clear
The state health department would also activate its operations center once a case of Ebola was confirmed here.