HARTFORD – Right now, there are no patients in the U.S. actively fighting Ebola. But as the epidemic rage son in West Africa, the possibility of another case on U.S. soil remains.
Connecticut health officials spoke Monday at a legislative hearing about our state’s preparedness and what they’re doing to monitor the crisis.
Travelers leaving four countries are still being monitored for Ebola by the CDC when they land on U.S. soil. The West-African nation of Mali was recently added to the list.
“Right after the hospitalization in Dallas, we basically started working full time on Ebola, and haven’t really stopped,” said Dr. Matthew Carter, State Epidemiologist.
Officials say 33 travelers have arrived in CT with CDC monitoring.
That means the CDC will alert CT health officials if a person is headed to the state after arriving from one of the West African countries.
Currently, the state is monitoring twelve people, who are not showing Ebola symptoms.
“The C-D-C did note, and I think it’s important for the committee to know, that Connecticut hospitals seem to be ahead of the rest of the country. That their preparations seemed pretty strong,” said Wendy Furniss, CT Healthcare Quality & Safety Branch Chief.
More on Ebola here.
