Michigan has activated its Community Health Emergency Communications Center to coordinate statewide preparedness against the threat of the Ebola virus. The goal is for Michigan to be able to respond rapidly and effectively if a patient who may have, or is at risk for, the Ebola virus were identified in Michigan.
Gov. Rick Snyder has designated Director of Michigan Department of Community Health Nick Lyon and Chief Medical Executive Dr. Matthew Davis to lead the efforts.
"The public can be assured that the Department of Community Health is working with its partners across state government and in hospitals across the state to make certain we are maximizing protection for the population," said Davis.
Michigan is leading a daily assessment of the risk of Ebola in Michigan and travelers coming to Michigan. According to Davis, the state also is assessing the readiness of health care facilities throughout the state and offering support to prepare staff.
"The Department of Community Health is encouraging hospitals to use drills as a way to assess the readiness of their staff and to help staff become more confident with their preparedness," said Davis.
Davis said that last Friday the department hosted an exercise with multiple state agencies to walk through how to handle potential scenarios if Michigan were faced with an Ebola case.
A new MDCH webpage contains guidance and information about Ebola for the community, health care providers, first responders, and labs.
– Virginia Gordan, Michigan Radio Newsroom
