The recent Ebola outbreak has just hit the United States and the virus has called for help from specialists all across the world, including Montana. Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. George Risi with St. Patrick Hospital will be on his way to investigate the virus and says his and another colleagues’ purpose is to help out in the international effort to contain the outbreak of Ebola. Risi said Ebola was first recognized in the 1970s in central Africa. Since then, about 25 or so outbreaks have occurred, including the most recent outbreak. Risi said that various species of fruit bats are the “reservoir” for the virus.

"They carry it without being ill," Risi said. "The disease is then transmitted either to humans directly as a result of direct interaction with bats, or indirectly as a result of bats transmitting the disease to larger animals like chimpanzees, and other animals that are hunted for bush meat in these parts of the world where there's very little protein. Anything you can catch is used as a source of protein in those parts of the world."

Risi said when someone is in contact with Ebola, the one main concern is a “hemorrhagic fever” wherein the mortality rate can be extremely high.

"In the current outbreak, we're seeing mortality rates somewhere in the 50 percent range," Risi said. "We have done a lot of reading, developed a lot of procedures, and drilled an awful lot of different kinds of scenarios such that we feel that we have some degree of knowledge that we might be able bring to the table over there. Additionally, of course, we'll be providing additional man power just for care of patients because they are in need of caregivers on all levels."

Risi said right now only one other doctor from St. Pats will be joining in the trip. Risi said he and Kate Hurley will be leaving Tuesday, August 19 for Sierra Leon and will be there for three weeks.

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