Rep. David Scribner Shares How the Department of Public Health is Taking Steps to Prevent Ebola Outbreaks in Our State

With the recent cases of Ebola breaking out in the U.S., I wanted to share the latest information from the state Department of Public Health (DPH) on how they are preparing should a case of Ebola be identified in Connecticut.

The Commissioner of the DPH has recently been granted the ability to effectively quarantine an individual or group of individuals who may have been exposed to or infected by the virus. With this news comes the declaration of a public health emergency.

DPH staff has been closely monitoring the Ebola epidemic in West Africa and receiving guidance from the CDC. DPH has sent regular Ebola-related updates and guidance to medical professionals, local health directors, hospitals, and emergency medical services providers.

DPH has asked Connecticut hospitals to ensure they can detect a patient with Ebola, protect health care workers so they can safely care for the patient, and respond in a coordinated fashion. Hospitals have been asked to complete a detailed checklist for Ebola preparedness and return it to DPH later this month.

According to DPH, any acute care hospital in the state, by following well-defined, standard infection control measures and with the use of proper personal protection equipment, is capable of caring for an Ebola patient.

For more information please visit the Department of Public Health’s website regarding Ebola facts, please click here.