Pentagon is learning how to treat Ebola in troops -- just in case

Hecho Por: Mike Ortiz

1. The Pentagon is WORKING to ensure its military hospitals in the USA can treat troops who may be sickened by Ebola during their deployment to West Africa to fight the deadly contagion.
2. With only a handful of civilian hospitals across the country currently equipped to care for Ebola patients — whose medical treatment requires elaborate isolation procedures — the military is WORKING ON bringing its facilities up to speed
3. It's doing that by determining which of its facilities are capable or will soon meet criteria to treat those with the virus, said Air Force Col. Edward Thomas, spokesman for Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
4. While Thomas said he couldn't provide additional details on how many military hospitals are already able to treat Ebola, at least one — Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. — recently conducted exercises in preparation.
5. Staff at Walter Reed conducted an Ebola treatment drill Oct. 24, and has been planning for dealing with patients sickened by the virus since August, said Sandy Dean, hospital spokeswoman.
6. About 1,100 of the 3,900 troops being sent to the region have already been deployed. The military personnel are not treating Ebola patients, but rather are building clinics, training medical personnel and testing blood samples for the presence of the virus.