C.O. health officials weigh in on Ebola virus

The Ebola virus has made it to U.S. soil.

“We actually have been expecting imported cases into the United States, I’m actually surprised that it’s taken so long to get here,” Dr. Rebecca Sherer, the director of infection prevention at St. Charles Bend, said Wednesday.

Many people are wondering whether they’re at risk. The answer to that starts with understanding what Ebola is.

“Ebola is a hemorrhagic fever virus,” Sherer said.”Symptoms can be confused with other illnesses like fever. Body aches, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea can all be associated with Ebola in the early stages.”

But unlike the flu or common cold, Ebola is not spread by airborne transmission, only through contact with infected bodily fluids.

The disease has no vaccination or known cure. That puts many people on edge, despite reassurances from experts.

“The risk of Ebola here in Central Oregon is very low,” said Deschutes County Health Director Jane Smilie.

County health officials say with disease investigation done on a daily basis, the county is prepared if the virus gets too close to home.

“We do have systems in place to assure that there is treatment and that we can put prevention and control measures in place immediately,” Smilie said.

Hospital staff are urging people to be cautious and smart.

“Folks who come back from Africa who have a fever and are seeking medical attention, please call us ahead of time and alert us, so we can have the proper infection control methods in place,” Sherer said.

But experts say they have faith the disease will be contained, treated and prevented.

“I think we can stop Ebola dead in its tracks,” Smilie said.