RI Officials Prepare for Ebola

Rhode Island health officials have been preparing for two months in case of an Ebola case.

The Providence Journal reports that some health officials say a case of Ebola in Rhode Island is inevitable because of the state's sizable West African population, including a large Liberian population and travel to and from countries affected by the disease.

Michael D. Fine, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, says the state has been working with hospitals, emergency medical services and doctors to respond to someone who has recently traveled from West Africa and is ill.

He says Rhode Island is "one of the most ready states" in the nation.

Fine and his staff are meeting weekly with members of the African community, visiting rallies and churches to provide information about Ebola.