The Eboa virus. (Photo/CDCGlobal via Flickr.com)
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LIVINGSTON COUNTY – An upcoming drill will test the Livingston County Department of Health, Livingston County Emergency Medical Services and Noyes Health’s plans to address an Ebola case in the community.
The Department of Health said in a press release that it is important to test these plans in the event we have a public health emergency that includes infectious diseases like Ebola.
“We look forward to working with Noyes Health and EMS to ensure the drill is successful,” said Jennifer Rodriguez, Public Health Director for the Department of Health. “This is a great way to test and enhance our current response plans regarding Ebola and other infectious diseases.”
The drill will coincide with National Preparedness Month, which is the month of September. Additional preparedness activities include Flat Stanley and Flat Stella Prepares, which is a social media campaign targeting youth and media and outreach efforts targeting pregnant women, which includes Zika prevention and Fight the Bite messaging.
Preparedness is important throughout the year. The Department of Health coordinates the Livingston County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). Medical Reserve Corps volunteers, who are community members with and without medical training, assist the Livingston County Department of Health with programs such as health clinics and screenings, distributing educational materials and supporting other programs.
Medical and other health volunteers also provide important services in the event of an emergency. The MRC staff can augment medical staff shortages at local medical and emergency facilities. Medically trained individuals are used to fill in the gaps in our emergency response plans and to improve our response capabilities overall.
Those interested in scheduling speakers for school or community presentations, those interested in becoming Department of Health volunteers or anyone with questions or concerns regarding preparedness is encouraged to contact the Livingston County Department of Health at (585) 243-7299.