Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, October 10, 2014
(INDIANAPOLIS) - Governor Mike Pence today joined leadership of the Indiana State Department of Health, including incoming State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams, for a webcast with local healthcare providers on Indiana’s preparedness for Ebola.
Video of the webcast can be found here: http://videocenter.isdh.in.gov/videos/video/1327/.
The Governor's remarks as prepared for delivery can be found below:
"Thank you, Pam and thank you to everyone joining us today. Like all of you, Karen and I were saddened to hear the news that Thomas Eric Duncan, the patient who was ill with Ebola in Texas, has died. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
"At this time, we have no reported cases of Ebola Virus in Indiana. However, there is no doubt that the Ebola Virus has been a cause for international concern and is a growing concern here in the U.S., now more than ever. In Indiana we have successfully managed emerging diseases before, most recently, the H1N1 Pandemic Flu in 2009 and the first U.S. case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome earlier this year. The professionalism, dedication and medical expertise demonstrated by our public health and healthcare community during these and other outbreaks gives me confidence that we are prepared to effectively respond to Ebola in our state, should we get a case.
"The Indiana State Department of Health has been working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other states to track and prepare for Ebola Virus. Lessons from Texas and Nebraska are being learned and shared as they occur. The State Health Department will continue to stay in constant contact with you as new information and guidance becomes available. Information is also regularly being updated on the State Health Department website as this situation develops.
"As CDC director, Dr. Tom Freeden, has stated, it's important to remember that the enemy here is not a person or people, but a virus. Based on our past experiences and my knowledge of the compassionate and competent people of our state, I know that if we get a case, we will do everything in our power to contain the spread of the illness and communicate the situation in real time with Hoosiers.
"As healthcare providers, you are on the frontlines of this and other battles with infectious diseases. Working together, we will be prepared to face the challenges posed by managing and treating any emerging disease. We have some important information here for you today and I hope you will stay for the entire webcast and ask questions at the end. Thank you for all that you do to protect Hoosiers' lives."
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.