Governor Beebe's Weekly Column and Radio Address: Contagious Diseases

Statement

The latest outbreak of the Ebola virus in West Africa has claimed more than four thousand lives, and for the first time, the virus has made its way to the United States. Constant news about Ebola, combined with speculation and the unknown, have generated both greater awareness and heightened fear among Americans.

In Arkansas, there are no confirmed cases of Ebola. The risk to the general public is very low. What we do have is strong, coordinated preparation within the medical community and health officials closely monitoring the national situation.

Ebola is a serious and deadly infection, but is only spread through direct contact with bodily fluids from someone who is both infected and experiencing symptoms. The Arkansas Department of Health is working with hospitals, health-care providers and emergency medical services to ensure that as many people as possible are prepared to spot symptoms and respond safely and effectively if they do.

While watching for Ebola is a new development in Arkansas, this system of communication and preparation is not. The Arkansas Health Alert Network connects 5,500 health-care professionals in every part of the state. There are more than 100 diseases and conditions constantly being watched for by the medical community. The Arkansas Department of Health is able to build upon that existing infrastructure to include monitoring from Ebola.

We've also made it a priority to get the best information from the U.S. government as they continue to monitor the situation on a global scale. Just this week, we learned that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will share contact information for people entering the U.S. from effected West African countries with state health departments. The more we can spread real information instead of fear, the better off our state and national response to Ebola will be.

While the Ebola virus carries a very low risk to the general public, the timing of its arrival coincides with seasonal rise of another, far better known and dangerous virus. Flu season is beginning in Arkansas and across the U.S., and the flu causes thousands of American deaths every year.

Thankfully, we have an annual vaccine for the flu, and it is now available in Arkansas. Historically, public-health departments have taken the lead on flu vaccinations, and indeed, the Arkansas Department of Health will hold mass clinics in the coming weeks and months. However, each year the private sector gets more and more involved, and now you can get a flu shot through most doctors' offices and pharmacies. Regardless of where you receive it, know that the flu vaccine has been proven to greatly reduce your chances of contracting the virus.

With any communicable disease, information and preparation are the best antidotes to fear and panic. While Ebola is not in Arkansas, we will further build our preparations in case it ever is. The best thing you can do is continue to take the same hygiene steps, like regular hand washing, that you would take to avoid other diseases. At the same time, know that you can take action to protect yourself against other viruses and improve the health and well-being of our State.

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