By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Ellis County emergency officials are continuing their efforts to prepare for the possibility of an Ebola-infected person in Ellis County.

County Health Administrator Butch Schlyer said first responders have been very active in discussing how to deal with a potentially infectious person or persons, including drills in Hays.

Recently, Ellis County emergency officials took part in Ebola drills at Fort Hays State University and Hays Medical Center.

Schlyer said local officials will continue to have meetings and drills, but he has been impressed with HaysMed’s containment training and said is comfortable the region is prepared for dealing with the virus.

“We know where we are going with this,” Schlyer said. “Our community partners have been well versed on this.”

Ellis County Emergency Medical Services Director Kerry McCue said despite the fact that HaysMed is the most prepared facility in western Kansas to deal with an infectious disease outbreak, hospitals are being instructed to not transport patients to places like Hays.

According to McCue, if a patient is confirmed to have the Ebola virus, that patient cannot be transported without contacting the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

“When KDHE gives their approval, that patient would not be moved to Hays Medical Center or Salina Regional,” McCue said, “they would be moved to one of approximately 35 hospitals across the country.”

The closest is Omaha, Neb.

The Sedgewick County bioterrorism/biosafety unit would be responsible for transferring the patient to the treatment center.

Schlyer said the next step is to hold small meetings and continue to discuss containment plans with core individuals.