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Preventing the Ebola virus in the CNMI
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Posted on Oct 02 2014
With the first reported Ebola case in Texas, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is updating its infection disease control measures and protocols and preparing its staff to conduct a simulated scenario to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses in containing an infectious disease in order to protect and ensure the safety of patients and our community.
“Ebola disease is highly unlikely to come to the CNMI but we cannot let our guard down. Even though West Africa is about 15,000 km or about 9,500 miles away, a traveler may be in contact from a person who is infected at international airport hubs. And so we need to prepare,” according to Warren Villagomez, director of Hospital and Emergency Preparedness Office.
According to Villagomez, “CHCC has an infectious control system in place but limited in the number of isolation rooms both negative and positive pressure rooms. We also have a team identified to address such a case. They include the Medical Director, Laboratory doctor, Internal Medicine team, Public Health director, Communication/PIO and Epi-Team, and the Hospital and Emergency Preparedness director.”
CHCC’s emergency room and the FCC has supplies, tools, and equipment such as the Personal Protective Equipment, or PPEs, to be worn by members of the team should there be a case in the CNMI. These PPE’s include gloves, gown (fluid resistant and impermeable), and eye protection (goggles and face mask). For additional protection in cases of excess amounts of blood, other body fluids, vomit or feces present in the environment, CHCC has supplies to provide for double gloving, disposable shoe and covers, and leg coverings.
To date, health screening is being undertaken at many international airports that have direct flights into the region or that are major air travel hubs. Travellers with fever or EVD-like symptoms may be subject to quarantine in the CNMI.
But remember, you can’t get Ebola through air, water, or food. Ebola can only be spread from contact with the blood or body fluids of a person or animal who is sick with or has died from Ebola.
For more information, contact CHCC’s Public Health at 234-8950. (CHCC)
