Medical professionals extra cautious after second Ebola case
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Medical professionals around the country and here in the Valley are now being extra cautious after the second health care worker contracted Ebola in a Dallas Hospital.
The state's health department says the risks of Californians getting infected with Ebola are extremely low.
In a special meeting on Wednesday more than 11,000 nurses talked about their fears facing the disease. Some of them from Kaiser Permanente in Northern California say they feel there's a lack of equipment and training at the hospital.
No one with the company would comment on camera. In a written statement a hospital spokesperson said, "Kaiser Permanente is fully prepared to evaluate and treat suspected and identified cases of Ebola Virus Disease while providing the utmost protection for all of our health-care providers."
The concerns for healthcare workers are also felt by staff and students in Fresno State's Nursing program.
"Going into this field your concern is your patient but at the same time when you are in patient's room it's not just that patient you're protecting, you are protecting the patient you go see afterwards," said Alicia Elizondo.
Kathleen Rindahl is an assistant professor at the University and says anyone who deals with infectious diseases has to be on alert.
"I like to teach my students when you have protective gear on assume you are contaminated no matter what so when you take off be very careful you have been contaminated," said Rindahl.
