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Newly Formed Ebola Task Force In Delaware County Holds First Meeting

MORTON, Pa., (CBS) -- Health officials across our entire area continue to prepare for a potential Ebola case, including those in Delaware County.

That's where a newly formed Ebola task force met for the first time Tuesday.

"This is a deadly disease and the people are understandably nervous in this day and age. A contagious virus is only a plane ride away. We don't want to create a panic here, but we do want to create a healthy awareness," said Thomas McGarrigle, Chairman of the Delaware County Council.

McGarrigle says the county is prepared to handle Ebola. County officials went over details in a closed-door meeting. Hospitals and first responders will communicate and coordinate any potential cases. A special EMS response plan has been established to safely treat and isolate potential patients.

Officials also revealed they've been reaching out to members of the Liberian community who live in Delaware County.

"Viruses do not have borders or boundaries. So we have to be prepared. We have a very melting pot community. We have a community from West Africa. We have a large immigrant population from all parts of the world. And we must take the necessary precautions," said Dr. George Avetian, the county's senior medical advisor.

Dr. Avetian says the goals of the task force are to communicate, coordinate and collaborate.

"We're going to communicate the dangers of this disease. We're going into the community, to the underserved, to those that need to be informed. We're going to communicate with our first responders, with our police force, with our EMS personnel."

Avetian says the county also will work with schools and the medical community, including private practice doctors and hospitals, to coordinate education and awareness about the disease.

And, it will collaborate with neighboring counties, state and national officials on a response to an Ebola case that might show up in the county.

KYW Newsradio's Mark Abrams and CBS 3's Stephanie Stahl contributed to this report.

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