Image of Ebola virus, found on Wikimedia Commons
WPRO News and the Associated Press
Rhode Island health officials have been preparing for two months in case of an Ebola case.
The Providence Journal reports that some health officials say a case of Ebola in Rhode Island is inevitable because of the state’s sizable West African population, including a large Liberian population and travel to and from countries affected by the disease.
Michael D. Fine, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, told WPRO’s John DePetro that the state has been working with hospitals, emergency medical services and doctors to respond to someone who has recently traveled from West Africa and is ill.
“It would not surprise us at all if we get a traveler from West Africa who comes to Rhode Island,” said Fine.
Fine and his staff are meeting weekly with members of the African community, visiting rallies and churches to provide information about Ebola.
In a separate interview with John DePetro, President of the Liberian Community Association Winston Gould said people traveling from West Africa to the United States should be more thoroughly checked for symptoms of Ebola.
“The only thing they’re being checked for is fever; and I think that is not enough,” said Gould.
Gould advocates that any traveler from West Africa coming to the United States should be quarantined for the 21-day incubation period for Ebola before being allowed to join the community.
Despite concerns, Dr. Fine believes Rhode Island can handle any potential threat.
“We think we are the best prepared state or among the best prepared states in the nation,” said Fine, “We’ve been working on this since the beginning of the Summer.”
