Is it overreacting to media hype or just acting in a prudent and cautious manner when faced with an unknown situation? That will no doubt be debated in the court of public appeal in regards to Louisiana's latest step to insure the safety of our citizens in regards to the Ebola virus.

The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is now educating our state's 911 emergency telephone operators on a new procedure that could help minimize the threat and spread of Ebola. Under the new guidelines if a person dialing 911 is reporting flu like symptoms, operators will ask a series of questions regarding that persons behavior, travel, and contacts.

The thought is that if a person with similar symptoms as those associated with Ebola have been in contact with someone who has traveled to the area most affected by the disease. Or, the caller has been in contact with someone who has traveled to the affected areas. Medical officials will then arrange special precautions for transportation and treatment. This will not only help the patient but help protect first responders, healthcare workers, and the general public.

Here is how treatment might be different for someone suspected of carrying Ebola symptoms. Only specific vehicles would be used for transportation to the hospitals. Ambulances will use different entrances to the hospital. Patients would be treated and cared for in a special section of the emergency room. Emergency room personnel and first responders would also have their protocol changed to reflect the higher level of containment.

State health officials suggest these changes in protocol and information gathering are necessary to control or eliminate the threat of Ebola spreading throughout our state or throughout the country. Many other states and medical groups have similar protocols in place around the nation.

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