VT Learns about Ebola

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Created on Tuesday, 21 October 2014 19:53

Written by Yolanda Liang

Around the NEK -- With the concern of Ebola growing, the Vermont State Health Department put on a conference last weekend in Killington about the proper precautions.

 

 

Lyndon Rescue Director of operations Mark Podgwaite said, "first of all, there will be a screening of the incoming callers as to what their signs and symptoms are, and where they've been for travel and those are in place now. And then, we should utilize standard personal protective equipment including a gown, mask, eye protection, gloves and a hat."

More than 500 emergency medical service personnel, health care providers and local officials from around the New England gathered at the Killington Grand Resort.

According to the World Health Organization, Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and is spread in the human population through human-to-human interaction. The first Ebola contact was at a Dallas hospital after a Liberian man was admitted with the disease and later became fatal.

To distinguish Ebola and regular disease, Podgwaite said right now it is the fever as well as travel. If anyone got sick and call 911, they will be asked about their traveling information.

A press conference held by the Vermont Health Department will start at 11 A.M. this Friday to discuss further updates.