The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking no days off in its crusade to stop the fear of Ebola from spreading across the country.
The federal agency held a conference call with the Department of Health and Human Services on Monday for healthcare workers – a tactic that will become a regular occurrence. Other efforts include webinars "tailored to specific healthcare specialties on preparedness" and conference calls with professional organizations. On Tuesday, the CDC will livestream an event with the Partnership for Quality Care and the Greater New York Hospital Association.
Healthcare prof: Learn about protection at work w/ #EbolaTraining on 10/21. Hosted by @PQCNews & @GNYHA. Register: http://t.co/pZ9NpSa9Bg
— CDC (@CDCgov) October 20, 2014
Over the weekend, the CDC also posted a spot of President Barack Obama saying, "We can’t give in to fear," and pointing out that the US is not experiencing an "outbreak or "epidemic." Obama goes over some facts and dispels myths about the disease, attaching the world’s most powerful office to the CDC’s efforts. The CDC also answered questions and dispelled myths about the virus over the weekend in Ebola Facts posts.
"The United States will continue to help lead the global response in West Africa." —President Obama on #Ebola: http://t.co/sbnrch3Zxg
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 19, 2014
Today's #EbolaFact is about whether pets can transmit Ebola. pic.twitter.com/thGPYfEKcd
— CDC (@CDCgov) October 19, 2014
Our next #EbolaFact is about why health workers wear protective gear if #Ebola virus isn't airborne. pic.twitter.com/7V7zJzqs6Y
— CDC (@CDCgov) October 18, 2014
On Monday afternoon, the CDC posted another visual: a flow chart that details in both text and pictures how a new case of Ebola is diagnosed, including tracking contacts for 21 days.
Contact tracing is one of most important tools CDC uses to prevent the spread of #Ebola. pic.twitter.com/H9OpXo5xyh
— CDC (@CDCgov) October 20, 2014
There have been three diagnosed cases of Ebola in the US – all in Dallas – though unrelated scares have taken place in New York City and outside Washington, DC, at the Pentagon. Two nurses who contracted the disease after treating a patient who eventually died from it have been moved to Atlanta and Bethesda, Maryland.
In total, Ebola has claimed more than 4,400 lives with nearly 9,000 cases confirmed – nearly all in Africa – according to the CDC.
