Broken Arrow Lawmaker Wants State Health Emergency Due To Ebola

Thursday, October 9th 2014, 11:46 am

By: News On 6

A state lawmaker who is one of two doctors in the Oklahoma Legislature is asking Governor Mary Fallin to declare a state of catastrophic health emergency relating to the Ebola virus.

Republican state Representative Mike Ritze of Broken Arrow sent a letter Wednesday to Fallin asking her to use her powers to authorize the state's public health commissioner to quarantine individuals suspected of carrying the virus.

“As a physician and as citizen of this state, I am very concerned about the potential spread of Ebola if proper precautions are not taken,” said Mike Ritze “I hope Governor Fallin will use the full power of her office to assist public health officials and medical providers in preventing an outbreak.”

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The first person diagnosed with Ebola in the U.S. died Wednesday, and the federal government announced it was expanding airport examinations to guard against the spread of the deadly disease.

A spokesman for Fallin responded to Ritze's letter Thursday morning.

"Governor Fallin is coordinating with health officials and hospitals to ensure that the state is prepared to treat and contain any incidents of Ebola in Oklahoma. Should an Oklahoman get sick, we are ready to act.

Declaring a state of emergency when no Oklahomans are actually sick would be premature. If and when a state of emergency is declared, we want citizens to pay attention and understand the risk is real and immediate.” – Alex Weintz, Communications Director for Governor Fallin.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma State Department of Health says it reassuring the public that no immediate threat exists to Oklahoma residents from the Ebola case in Texas.

OSDH officials will continue to work with hospitals and provide up-to-date communication, guidance and tools to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.