Schuyler Hospital conducts Ebola training

Schuyler Hospital announced today that staff is currently conducting training and drilling on personal protective equipment use and removal in the hospital and clinics – so patients and visitors may see staff in gowns, hoods, masks, gloves, etc.There is no cause for alarm or concern. This is a training exercise only. Hospital officials note that this is part of training required by the NYS Department of Health in response to the recently growing concerns about Ebola virus infection. Schuyler Hospital is working in collaboration with the state, the CDC, and the county health department and emergency medical services.There are no diagnosed cases of Ebola in upstate New York, no people residing in Schuyler County have been identified as being at risk of infection with the Ebola virus, and there are no public health reasons to close businesses or schools or to cancel community events.No individuals in Schuyler County have been identified as needing quarantine.Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes in, for example, the eyes, nose or mouth) with blood or bodily fluids (including but not limited to urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola; objects (like needles and syringes) that have been contaminated with the virus; and infected animals. Ebola is not spread through the air or by water.