UC partners with state health agencies to treat Ebola patients

In a partnership with the state health agency, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, among other University of California medical centers, will treat Ebola patients if needed, the University said Friday.

“As a public university, we want to make sure we are stepping up in a public health crisis like this,” said UC spokeswoman Brooke Converse.

Under the partnership between the University’s five medical centers and the California Department of Public Health, patients with the virus in California would be transported to one of the medical centers. The University medical centers will not treat patients transported into the country by the U.S. State Department, however.

“If (a) person in California is found to have Ebola, UC medical centers will take a lead,” Converse said, adding that location of patients will likely decide which medical center will treat them.

The UC has medical centers in Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco.

Ebola virus is neither airborne nor waterborne. The virus spreads to others only after symptoms begin, according to the Center for Disease Control.

However, a growing number of Ebola patients in the United States, nine so far according to The New York Times, has prompted hospitals across the country to ramp up their preparation efforts. A doctor in New York who treated Ebola patients in West Africa as part of the Doctors Without Borders team was diagnosed with the virus Thursday.

On Friday, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center held a drill to test how the hospital would treat patients with the virus.

“Our doctors, nurses and staff have spent a significant amount of time and thought preparing to care for patients stricken with Ebola,” said the UCLA Health System in a statement.

The university said it will work closely with local, state and federal health officials to obtain the latest information to respond to the virus.

Compiled by Jeong Park, Bruin senior staff.