FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2014
Contact: Heather Meador
Phone: 319.892.6061
Email: [email protected]
Linn County Statement on Ebola
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - We understand many Iowans are concerned a case of Ebola could occur in Eastern Iowa. UnityPoint Health - St. Luke’s Hospital, UnityPoint Clinic, Mercy Medical Center, MercyCare Clinics, and Linn County Public Health are working together to prepare for the possibility of an individual with Ebola arriving at any of our local clinics or hospitals for care. Together we are ready to detect a possible Ebola case; protect our community, patients, staff; and respond appropriately to any Ebola case that might present in our local healthcare system.
We are prepared to respond to many contagious illnesses. Each facility has procedures and equipment ready to handle infectious diseases. Additionally, we have a robust infrastructure in Iowa and the United States to prevent and control disease spread.
It’s important to remember Ebola is not a virus that can spread through the air. Ebola is only contagious if the infected person is having active symptoms. Ebola is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids of a sick person or exposure to objects such as needles that have been contaminated. Ebola is not contagious until symptoms appear.
Anyone that becomes ill when traveling to another country needs to alert the healthcare provider caring for them of their travel. There are many infections besides Ebola that can be brought home when traveling abroad. Diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, measles, polio, dengue fever, and tuberculosis are just a few of the many infections that can affect persons traveling or coming from other countries.
For the most up to date information on Ebola, please visit www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola. If you would like information regarding travel abroad, please visit www.cdc.gov/travel
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An additional resource on Ebola is this page of questions and answers from the CDC: www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/2014-west-africa/qa.html