Are Triangle-area hospitals prepared for an Ebola outbreak?
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- There are new concerns that more people in the U.S. could be at risk of contracting Ebola after the first patient in the U.S. was diagnosed with the virus.
"I think that possibility is very real," said Dr. William Fischer with UNC Hospitals.
Fischer was recently deployed by the World Health Organization to Guinea, the original epicenter of the Ebola outbreak. He's now working with the CDC to prepare a per-deployment training course for doctors working with Ebola patients in West Africa.
"While the thoughts of Ebola coming to the United States are very scary, I think that we have all the right mechanisms in the United States to be able to control an outbreak before it gets started," said Fischer.
Triangle-area hospitals have been preparing for the arrival of the virus for months.
In August, doctors at Rex Hospital suited up in protective gear and took part in a mock drill to practice treating Ebola patients.
"We had to work on the boots just to make sure we were properly protected all over, and, with that drill, we used special powder so we could identify whether or not that got on our skin," said Medical Director for Critical Care Transport, Dr. Brian Quigley.
WakeMed staff has undergone similar training while sharing information and procedures with hospitals around the country.
"We know that we could have the perfect plan, but until you actually have the experience of having worked with it, there's always things that are new and different that you need to think about and consider," said Emergency Services Institute Executive Director, Dr. Barbara Bisset.
Duke Hospital and RDU airport also have emergency plans in place.
Doctors are warning international travelers to know their destinations and avoid places where they could contract the virus.
"The more you know when you travel and to avoid those particular places, the better chance you have to be able to protect yourself," said Dr. Quigley.
