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Record-Courier: Ohio officials ID those in contact with Ebola patient

10/16/14

State and local health officials are working to contact anyone who may have had contact with a Texas health care worker infected with the Ebola virus.
 
Mary DiOrio, state epidemiologist and interim head of the Ohio Department of Health's Division of Prevention and Health Promotion, told reporters Wednesday that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified the state that the Texas woman was in the Akron area for about a week and returned to Dallas Monday evening. She was diagnosed with the virus a day later.
 
DiOrio said the state is working with the Summit County Board of Health to identify anyone who may have had contact with her while she was in Ohio or on the flight back to Texas.
 
"As of right now, we do not have a case of Ebola in Ohio," she said.
 
Wednesday's announcement came a day after DiOrio and other health officials met in suburban Columbus to review the state's Ebola response plans.
 
DiOrio said at the time, "This is our message to the general public: The average Ohioan doesn't need to be concerned about Ebola -- only individuals who travel to and from West Africa where the Ebola outbreak is occurring or individuals in close contact with someone ill with Ebola."
 
Gov. John Kasich met with state health officials Wednesday afternoon to review the situation and the state's response plans. The governor also requested increased support from federal officials -- a CDC liaison on the ground in Ohio and additional staff to help state and local health officials.
 
"I have been fully briefed…. and have directed state health officials to aggressively respond to the situation and provide local health officials every resources and support they need," he said in a released statement. "Every effort must be taken to identify those at risk, monitor their health and avoid further risk."
 
Health officials reiterated Wednesday that Ebola is spread via contact with blood and bodily fluids of infected individuals. It can take up to three weeks for symptoms of infection to appear.
 
One Democratic state lawmaker continued to voice concern about the state's preparedness to deal with an Ebola outbreak.
 
"I am deeply concerned that the new leadership at the Ohio Department of Health does not take the threat of an Ebola outbreak seriously enough," Rep. Bob Hagan (D-Youngstown) said in a statement. "It is imperative that Ohio has adequate protocols in place to treat any cases in our state and to prevent transmission of this deadly disease. Furthermore, ODH needs to effectively communicate these protocols to health providers, lawmakers, and most of all the public."  
 
Local Congressmen also weighed in on the situation.
 
Rep. Jim Renacci (R-Wadsworth) said President Obama hasn't taken a strong enough stance on prevention.
 
"Our country is equipped with the necessary resources to stop Ebola from spreading further and it is critical that the Administration develop and implement a stronger response to the epidemic," Renacci said. "We must have efficient and effective preparedness procedures at the federal, state, and local levels in order to protect Ohioans and Americans across the country."
 
Rep Tim Ryan (D-Niles) questioned how Vinson was allowed to travel after being in contact with an Ebola patient.
 
"We must aggressively review the policies and procedures that allowed a health worker who was in contact with an Ebola patient to so easily leave and get on an airplane to potentially expose others," he said. "An immediate review must occur."
 
Rep. David Joyce (R-Painesville) echoed his colleagues and called more aggressive and stringent action.
 
"This latest case hits home in Northeast Ohio and is a clear indication that our nation must act now to stop the spread of the Ebola virus," Joyce said. "Here at home, the CDC must provide a stronger response and more leadership than we have seen."

Read the original article at RecordPub.com.

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