WITH the deadly Ebola virus occupying minds we thought it was worthwhile asking what Canberra’s own health authorities have been doing should we be unlucky enough to have a case.

An ACT Health spokeswoman confirmed that a local case would be treated here at Canberra hospital, not sent to Sydney.

She offered up these points:

ACT Health regularly communicates with other jurisdictions and the Federal Department of Health on Ebola preparedness as part of the Communicable Diseases Network of Australia (CDNA) and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC).
• ACT Health has met with and continues to work with ACT airport and airline authorities to review preparedness for Ebola and other communicable diseases.
• ACT Health has communicated information about Ebola with hospital clinicians, Medicare Local and Ambulance service.
• ACT Health has met with and continues to work with the hospitals to review Ebola planning and preparedness activities.
• There are National Guidelines, which ACT Health will follow in the event of an Ebola case, to manage suspect and confirmed Ebola cases.
• The Cabinet has been briefed on the preparedness and plans in place nationally and locally.
• Canberra Hospital is in the process of finalising its preparedness response plans and this is being managed through an expert working group.

If you are concerned about the outbreak I strongly advise donating to Médecins Sans Frontières.

[Photo via MSF]