They say while the risk is extremely low that someone will contract the virus, they are prepared to handle it if it happens.
Here is the letter in its entirety:
With all of the national attention on Ebola, rest assured that local health and public safety leaders are taking multiple actions within their own organizations and coordinating collective efforts to be prepared in the unlikely event the disease occurs here.
While the risk of Ebola in our community is very low, we are prepared to act appropriately if a case occurs, and our goal would be to stop Ebola from spreading further. Baptist Health Paducah, Lourdes, Mercy EMS, the Purchase District Health Department, police, fire and other safety agencies are coordinating efforts through the McCracken County Office of Emergency Management. Each is following guidelines and regular updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to make sure we have the right information and tools to be prepared and stay informed.
We train, we drill. This is what we do. We work together every day to treat serious illnesses.
To put it in perspective, we work together annually in our effort to minimize the flu, which killed 52,000 people nationwide last year, compared to the one U.S. death from Ebola.
Here’s where you come in. You can wash your hands frequently, stay out of public places when you are sick and get your flu shot. Flu is a much more likely and immediate threat to you and your family, but thankfully, we have an effective vaccine.
Finally, as with all infectious diseases, avoid public places if you have symptoms – fever, muscle pain, vomiting and diarrhea. If you experience those symptoms AND you have traveled to West Africa --Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea -- in the past three weeks (or you have come into contact with someone exhibiting symptoms who has traveled there), you should contact your local health department immediately.
We take our community’s health seriously, and we will continue to train and drill to help keep you safe.
Sincerely,
Baptist Health Paducah, Lourdes, the McCracken County Office of Emergency Management, Mercy EMS, the Purchase District Health Department
