The chances of the Ebola virus in Rochester are slim, but if a case was confirmed here, health officials at Strong Memorial Hospital say they're confident both caregivers and the patient would be well protected.
Director of Adult Critical Care, Dr. Michael Apostolakos, says that first responders are undergoing training in the use of personal protective equipment, and they are prepared now to protect caregivers and patient in the unlikely event Ebola is found here.
Up to 100 first responders are being trained, and Dr. Apostolakos is one of them.
He says he feels well protected, and the training staff is going through goes beyond what the Centers for Disease Control recommends for safety.
He says he feels he'll be very safe.
There is no medical treatment for Ebola, it's supportive care -- Dr. Apostolakos says they treat patients symptomatically, supporting their organ systems in the hope their body defeats the virus.
Still, with supportive care, about 70 percent of Ebola patients die.
He says they expect to see several cases of suspected Ebola, however.
And those patients must be treated as though have the virus, until the test results are known.
The University of Rochester Medical Center has been designated one of eight regional Ebola referral centers.
Here's a video of Dr. Apostolakos donning the protective gear:
http://youtu.be/xA-Wp8lpk10