Concerns about Ebola spreading continues to grow as we enter flu season. And that has some Floridians suspecting flu-like symptoms for the deadly disease at local hospitals.
On Saturday, a patient went to the Central Florida Regional Hospital in Sanford fearing that flu-like symptoms could be the Ebola Virus. The hospital followed proper protocol and quarantined the patient, putting practice into action.
Emergency personnel donned protective equipment and asked questions to determine if testing would even be needed.
“They started the interview process and the interview process determined very quickly that this was not a transmission of Ebola,” Alan Harris, Seminole County Emergency Manager said. “Most likely a transmission of another type of flu-type illness.”
No blood samples were taken and the patient was determined to not be at risk for Ebola.
While any possible threat of the disease is taken seriously, emergency officials want the public to learn the difference between the flu and Ebola.
While early symptoms of Ebola are very similar to the common flu, they have one distinguishing difference.
“Have you been in the area of a person that has Ebola?” Harris asked.
Officials said recent travel to West Africa could be a concern, but add that the disease is not air-borne and would require direct contact.
“You have to come in contact with someone that is showing signs and symptoms of Ebola and actually have Ebola for you to get Ebola,” Harris said.
The flu is a lot easier to catch from other people.
Harris said the Seminole County Emergency Operations Center has daily conference calls with the State and keeps in constant contact with the CDC. He said his office prepares for pandemics and makes sure that all emergency personnel are equipped with Personal Protective Equipment, also called PPE’s.
“We are planning and preparing in the event that something does happen here,” Harris said. “But there are a lot of other types of viruses out there, so if you get sick, it doesn’t matter if you have the flu, Ebola, or anything else, remember social distancing, stay at home, don’t bring your virus to work and share it with your friends.”
Harris said there have been two other reports of people admitting themselves to hospitals in Flagler County and Jacksonville, but neither tested positive for Ebola and there are no confirmed cases in the state.
