Top Doc: TV Making Ebola Scare 'Bigger Than It Really Is'

Two of northern New Jersey’s top medical professionals agree: the deadly Ebola virus is a tragic disease. But they’re not worried about it creating an impact on the population of the United States.

As fears around the country continue to grow after a Texas man returned to Dallas from Liberia in September and died two weeks after contracting Ebola, sparking the infection of two nurses who cared for him, medical professionals are apprehensive to join the hype.

“[Ebola] is a disaster for West Africa,” said Dr. Donald Allegra, an infectious disease expert affiliated with St. Clare’s Hospital in Denville and consults for Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center. “But I don’t think we’re in trouble, and I don’t think it will be widespread. It’s a non-issue for the U.S.”

Allegra continued to say the media’s portrayal of the infectious disease has been “hyped up quite a bit.” The doctor said that while the incidents based out of Dallas have shaken the country’s confidence, he and other medical professionals recognize that mistakes were made and protocols may have been breeched, leading to the tragic death of Eric Duncan.

Other fears that medical professionals are now tasked with quelling include the disease’s transmission and lowering the anxiety of both the public and hospital staffs.

“[Transmission] requires intense interactions and contact with secretions,” Allegra said. “When living outside the body, the bacteria lasts less time than influenza.”

Allegra was joined in his thoughts by Hackettstown Regional Medical Center’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ken Janowski, who put much of the blame for the country’s fears on the television media.

“I think the general consensus is that TV is making this bigger than it really is,” Janowski said. “We’re certainly preparing and taking the necessary steps to be ready such an event comes to us, but it’s a shame that the news sensationalizes the risk.”

Earlier this week, Hackettstown Regional Medical Center ran a drill without telling its staff members, as a patient came in seeking treatment after explaining Ebola-like symptoms prior to being diagnosed. Only three staff members at the hospital knew the drill was taking place.

“Our staff did a great job in handling the situation,” Janowski said. “We let the treatment go up until blood was about to be drawn, and it certainly helped to prepare us.”

Hospital staff members are currently being trained in proper donning and doffing techniques when dealing with patients who may exhibit Ebola-like symptoms, Janowski said.

While Janowski believes the hype is greater than the reality, he does believe there’s still a bit of a journey ahead until all is calm.

“I have a feeling [the U.S.] will have more patients, sporadically,” Janowski said. “But I also know we can take care of them.”