In response to growing national and statewide concern, Blanchard Valley Health System recently activated the Ebola response preparations protocol that it began developing this summer.

“Blanchard Valley Health System will work in conjunction with the American Hospital Association, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the Ohio Hospital Association (OHA), local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to keep our community and health care professionals apprised of the latest news and events regarding Ebola response preparations,” explained Colleen Abrams, infection preventionist. “Like other hospitals across the nation, Blanchard Valley prepares for all types of emergencies every day and has plans and access to appropriate supplies and equipment to care for patients with infectious diseases.”

Screening questions are in place at patient points of entry at BVHS in order to detect Ebola and protect patients and health care workers. Patients should let hospital staff know immediately if they have recently returned from West Africa or have been in contact with an Ebola patient and are experiencing such symptoms as fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal (stomach) pain and unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising). Ebola symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure, but the average is 8 to 10 days.

Ebola is spread through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person sick with Ebola, or through items contaminated with the person’s blood or body fluids. Ebola is not spread through the air, food or drinking water.

Additionally, BVHS is following CDC guidelines on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health care workers and participating in preparedness drills and education that will identify how to receive, isolate and implement proper infection control practices for a potential Ebola patient.

The Ohio Department of Health has activated a 24-hour call center to answer Ohioans’ questions about Ebola and the recent events in Ohio in an effort to ensure Ohioans get accurate, timely information. The number is 1-866-800-1404 and is staffed by public health nurses and other public health officials, with infectious disease specialists available as needed.

For more information about Ebola, visit the ODH website at www.odh.ohio.gov or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.