Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic said he wants medical teams available to transport the 16 area residents who had contact with Ebola patient Amber Joy Vinson to a specialty hospital in another state, if necessary.

(Thomas Ondrey, Plain Dealer file)

AKRON, Ohio — Mayor Don Plusquellic said Friday he wants medical teams on standby to transport any Northeast Ohio residents who show symptoms of Ebola to specialty hospitals out of state.

Plusquellic's idea is at odds with Summit County Public Health Medical Director Dr. Margo Erme, who got into a heated discussion with Plusquellic on South High Street Friday before a scheduled appearance on CNN. Plusquellic canceled his planned appearance but spoke with the Northeast Ohio Media Group shortly after.

Plusquellic said he reached out to U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan about the plan. Michael Zetts, a spokesman for Ryan, said the congressman fully supports Plusquellic's plan and is pushing for more assistance in Northeast Ohio.

"CDC changed it's opinion on what it takes to contract the virus," Plusquellic told NEOMG. "If the CDC can't say 'Here's what you need to protect yourself, and it's an absolute,' then I really don't want anyone here involved with anyone that has Ebola. I know that's a crass statement to make, but if we can avoid it and it can go to a place with a better understanding of Ebola, then it's better off."

Erme said she believes the 16 Northeast Ohio residents who had contact with Ebola patient Amber Joy Vinson, who spent the weekend in the Akron are, are safe here and that area hospitals are prepared to treat anyone who show symptoms of Ebola.

"What if you fly them to Atlanta and there's nothing wrong with them?" Erme said. A call to the Summit County Health Department for further comment was not immediately returned.

Plusquellic noted two health care workers in Dallas who now have the deadly disease after treating Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan, who later died.

He said he believes his plan would prevent health care workers in Summit and Cuyahoga counties from being exposed to the virus and allow anyone with symptoms to be immediately treated by experts.

"We're not avoiding it by not treating it, we're asking the CDC and the country to treat, test monitor and transport them to the place they're ultimately going to be transported anyway," Plusquellic said.

Plusquellic likened his plan to having ambulances stationed at high school football games. The teams would be available to treat anyone immediately and then safely transport them for further care.

"Why would you take them to one of our hospitals and then transport them to Atlanta?" Plusquellic said. "It seems to me that anyone with half a brain would not want our people exposed."