The Ocean County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee met Monday morning to discuss a county-wide response if a suspect or confirmed case of Ebola ever presented itself. Several agencies besides the Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) attended; including local area hospitals, the Ocean County Sheriff” Department, County and local Offices of Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, law enforcement, Ocean County Department of Human Services, Ocean County Medical Examiner, the New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Homeland Security, and several others.

Daniel Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator, said, “The best way we can be prepared for any type of emergency is to bring all the stakeholders together and discuss every aspect of the emergency, ask questions, identify gaps and try to come up with solutions on addressing this together. We know that Ebola in the United States is very frightening but we continue to reassure people that this disease is not easy to catch. You must remember that a person infected with Ebola has either come from the Sierra Leone, Guinea or Liberia or has been a close contact of a person with Ebola or a health care worker who possibly came in contact with an infected person’s body fluids. ”

He continued, “There were so many questions that were brought forth and how by us working together can address and resolve. Each agency in attendance had the opportunity to share what they have been doing to prepare, what guidance they may be looking for and identified gaps. The OCHD has been collecting these questions and concerns and will be presenting these questions to the New Jersey Department of Health for answers and clarification.”

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