Published December 8 2014
The December 6 announcement from Public Health - Seattle & King County that a county resident was being tested for Ebola after arriving from Mali and coming down with a fever may have triggered new fears about the Ebola outbreak in west Africa reaching here. Bellevue and other area cities continue to work with Public Health to ensure that residents remain safe from the disease.
In fact, the case, in which the patient tested negative and was released from Harborview Medical Center on December 7 after his fever went down, affirmed the protocols followed by Public Health and the state Department of Health. County health agencies are monitoring all travelers from Ebola-affected countries and testing and isolating them when potential symptoms of Ebola appear.
Additionally, local health care facilities and workers, including Bellevue emergency medical personnel, have access to checklists prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for evaluation of potential cases and for preparations should a patient have Ebola. Bellevue's Fire and Police departments have protective equipment and protocols for screening and safely treating and transporting potential Ebola patients.
Health care staff are trained to quickly identify and isolate anyone who potentially has Ebola, and ensure that people with Ebola get the best care while also protecting caregivers from infection.
Public Health - Seattle & King County has FAQs and additional facts on Ebola.