The U.S. health care apparatus is so unprepared and short on resources to deal with the deadly Ebola virus that even small clusters of cases could overwhelm parts of the system, according to an Associated Press review of readiness at hospitals and other components of the emergency medical network.
Experts broadly agree that a widespread outbreak across the country is extremely unlikely, but they also concur that it is impossible to predict with certainty, since previous Ebola epidemics have been confined to remote areas of Africa. And Ebola is not the only possible danger that causes concern; experts say other deadly infectious diseases – ranging from airborne viruses such as SARS, to an unforeseen new strain of the flu, to more exotic plagues like Lassa fever – could crash the health care system.
The Ebola cases which have occurred have been overwhelming to the hospitals affected. They’ve had to empty their ICUs and devote the whole staff their to the one patient. Texas Presbyterian suffered large financial loss and is still hurting; Bellevue in NY is having similar problems. Even one Ebola cluster would be extremely disruptive. Dallas has apparently escaped that and it is to be hoped New York will. However, NY City has already had one scare involving a civilian case (that is, not medical returnees).
Don’t worry, we have an Ebola Czar in charge!