NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – In the wake of Wednesday night’s malaria scare on the Mississippi, members of the medical community are talking preparedness.
WGNO News Reporter Darian Trotter spoke with an infectious disease expert who says the response to Wednesday’s Malaria scare was good practice for similar situations in the future.
Marine Phoenix is back on track.
The vessel was anchored in Belle Chasse, after it was confirmed that malaria was the cause of illness for at least one sick crew member.
Although patients were taken to West Jefferson Medical Center, doctors at Tulane University Medical Center say the area’s entire medical community is equally prepared; given New Orleans is a destination city.
“We actually are quite prepared. The centers for disease control and prevention has a very strong plan in place in association with state office of public health to make sure that every vessel and plan is screened for sick passengers,” Dr. John Schieffelin said.
Dr. John Schieffelin specializes in infectious diseases.
He says because New Orleans is a port city the medical community is forced to be even more pro-active.
“Because of the need and the demand and the shipping and air traffic that comes through here, we are, there is just more of a presence. There’s more activity here. So there’s a little more surveillance here, than say there would be in a city that has no port.”
Because Marine Phoenix did make a stop in West Africa, where the deadly Ebola outbreak is wreaking havoc, health officials took extra precautions.
Paramedics were seen wearing protective gear.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we take all the necessary steps to protect ourselves. We need to make sure that our health care workers are very comfortable going into the situation so they can treat the patients properly and do the best they can while feeling safe.”
Schieffelin spent three weeks in Africa training healthcare workers on how to treat Ebola patients.
He says the public should not worry about the malaria scare on the Mississippi; because the mosquito-born disease is not easily transmitted.
“It’s a very complicated disease. We need the right mosquitos at the right time in the right place to make it all happen.
Schieffelin says the situation made for a useful drill, that will help keep the medical community on its toes. He says it will also force health officials to look for ways to improve.