August 29, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Los Angeles County director of public health addresses Ebola outbreak, says Southland risk is low

 

President Obama said that U.S. officials were "taking the outbreak seriously." (Thinkstock)
President Obama said that U.S. officials were “taking the outbreak seriously.” (Thinkstock)

Despite rising public awareness of a deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa and plans to bring two patients to the United States for treatment, Los Angeles County’s director of public health said the chances of the virus reaching the Southland are extremely remote.

Dr. Jonathan Fielding said he had no concerns about a pair of health- care workers who contracted Ebola in Liberia being flown to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta for treatment.

“I’m not concerned about the process they’re using to bring them in nor about the ability of Emory because it is in a very close partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control,” Fielding said.

Emory is one of just four hospitals in the nation equipped with an isolation unit designed to maximize care of patients with serious infectious diseases while maintaining the safety of health-care workers.
“This Emory unit was created with the CDC, … it’s designed to optimize care for those with serious infectious diseases,” Fielding said.

The World Health Organization reports that more than 1,300 people have been infected with the virus in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone, as of Wednesday. Nearly 730 deaths have been reported. U.S. health officials have advised Americans not to travel to the countries affected by the outbreak.

President Barack Obama said today U.S. officials were taking the outbreak seriously, and were working to provide assistance to the affected countries. A U.S.-African summit is scheduled to take place next week in Washington, D.C., next week, but leaders from Liberia and Sierra Leone have canceled plans to attend.

Tom Frieden, director of the CDC, told CNN that Americans should not feel threatened or overly concerned at news that Ebola will be on U.S. soil.

“I really hope people’s fear won’t outweigh their compassion,” he said.

Frieden said he understands why questions have arisen, saying, “I think we fear it because it’s so unfamiliar.”

“Ebola is a huge risk in Africa,” he said. “It’s not going to be a huge risk in the U.S.”

Los Angeles International Airport is home to one of 20 quarantine stations operated around the country by the Centers for Disease Control. The centers are designed to “limit the introduction of infectious diseases into the United States and to prevent their spread,” according to the CDC.

The LAX station serves Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Inyo and Kern counties.

Related Posts

Toxic Avenger Reboot Aims to Smash Box Office and Medical Debt on Labor Day Weekend

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

Film’s Release Comes With a Promise to Erase Millions in Medical Bills The upcoming release of The Toxic Avenger will...

Trump Says Beverly Hills Residents Leave Cars Open for Thieves, Locals Call It Nonsense

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Officials and Residents Say Trump’s Crime Remarks Don’t Reflect Reality City officials and residents pushed back this week after former...

Beverly Hills Schools Halt Israeli Flag Display Despite School Board Vote

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Superintendent Cites Safety Concerns After Narrow 3–2 Decision Despite a 3–2 Board of Education vote to display the Israeli flag...

Los Angeles County Public Health Probe Sparks Nationwide Egg Recall Over Salmonella

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

More Than 95 Cases Tied to Country Eggs in 14 States; Do Not Eat Affected Cartons Los Angeles Public health...

(Video) The Opening of Mr. Charlie’s with Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Vegan burger restaurant with brightly colored decor now open on 26th street across fromthe Brentwood Country Mart. The Opening of...

California Pizza Kitchen Debuts Heart-Shaped Pizza Celebrating Swift–Kelce

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

13 Days of Engagement Pizzas, and Return of Hot Honey Flavors California Pizza Kitchen is rolling out a series of...

Culver Hotel Celebrates 101 Years With 101 Anniversary Menu and Live Music

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Guests Can Enjoy a Four-Course Meal, Nightly Performances, Trivia Contest The historic Culver Hotel is celebrating its 101st anniversary this...

Westside Chefs Shine at the Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival in September

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

South Bay’s Culinary Festival Returns With Two Nights of Food, Wine, and Music Santa Monica, Westchester, Los Angeles, and West...

(Video) Come Tour The Willows Community School!

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Sign up for a tour at The Willows and come see what makes our school such a vibrant, inspiring place...

Jewish Clergy Rally in Los Angeles Urging Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and Food Aid for Gaza

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Two Dozen Rabbis Gathered at Israeli Consulate, Hostage’s Family Appears at Second Rally Jewish clergy from across Los Angeles County...

Metro LA’s Aug. 30 Deadline for Public Comment on Sepulveda Transit Draft EIR Approaches

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Community Members Can Weigh In Before the 90-Day Comment Period Closes. Metro is reminding community members that the 90-day public...

Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Culver City, and Uni High Gear Up for Early-Season Games

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

The Centaurs, Eagles, Normans, and Wildcats Face Key Matchups This Week Football season is heating up across our area, with...

I-405 to See Lane Reductions, Ramp Closures as Pavement Rehab Project Continues

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Drivers Should Expect Delays With Overnight Work Aug. 26–28, Sept. 5 Motorists using Interstate 405 through the Sepulveda Pass should...

Kobe Day Tribute: Lakers Welcome UCLA Newborns With Purple-and-Gold Gifts

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Babies Received Adorable Care Packages in Celebration of “Kobe Day.” Families welcoming newborns at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and...

Suspect Arrested After Eight-Hour SWAT Standoff in Jefferson Park Shooting

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

 Police Say a Man Was Killed and a Suspect Barricaded Himself Inside a Home Hours after a fatal shooting near...