Ebola response teams ready at Community Regional Medical Centers

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Just in case, local doctors and nurses are preparing and practicing for any patients who may have Ebola like symptoms. Here in the Central Valley, medical experts say a response team is ready at Community Regional Medical Centers in Fresno and Clovis for any patients who may walk in with symptoms of the deadly virus.

The minute patients walk in the door with flu like symptoms, health care workers are asking them if they have recently visited West Africa, so far not one patient has, but isolation rooms are ready if the situation arises.

Dr. Hagop Afarian said, "I don't think we're at a high risk for Ebola or other unusual international diseases much like Dallas, LA and so on which are hubs for international travel, but we always need to be prepared."

Even if it's not very likely right now, Doctor Hagop Afarian says he and a team of medical specialists have been practicing the protocol, should a patient come to the hospital with signs of Ebola.

"We've been trained through the processes of how to gown, how to enter the room, how to provide care for that patient in a safest way possible to prevent any spread of the disease, and any infections of those people caring for the patient," said Dr. Hagop Afarian.

A critical step in making sure everyone who comes near an Ebola patient is safe is disinfecting the area where the person has been or was treated. Bleach is a sure way to kill the bacteria.

Once cases were discovered in the U.S., hospital officials at Community Regional Medical Center geared up even more, providing more extensive training and ordering additional protective wear.

Doctor Afarian isn't worried about contracting Ebola if he treats an infected patient. But he is working to educate employees at the hospital about what they should be looking for and asking right now, to reduce the risk to employees and others if an Ebola patient shows up.

"We are asking right at the point of initial contact with the patient that has any of those symptoms, have you traveled outside of the United States, then what continent, then if they say Africa, then what country specifically," said Dr. Hagop Afarian,

The hospital is following the steps recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. An infectious disease control group is also reviewing the procedures of how to put on the protective clothing and remove it safely.

Doctors here say since there is no treatment or FDA approved vaccine, they would be ready to provide assistance to the patient by giving IV fluids and providing oxygen if necessary.

40 to 70 percent of those who contract Ebola die from the virus.