SAN ANTONIO – The deadly Ebola virus that is rampant in the West African nation of Liberia and now has its first patient in the U.S. has been the subject of intensive study at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute since 2004, according to Dr. Ricardo Carrion Jr., the scientific manager of its biosafety Level 4 laboratory.
Carrion said as a result, public health officials here have been preparing for scenarios like the one at a Dallas hospital where a Liberian man is now in isolation.
"We're absolutely prepared," Carrion said. "We may be in a better position than others."
He said for example, if the day ever comes that he or one of the laboratory's staff becomes infected with Ebola, University Hospital is poised to respond.
Carrion said Texas Biomed already has an agreement they would be treated and isolated under protocols that were developed for that reason.
He said they speak monthly with University Hospital officials about updates and any needed changes.
A spokeswoman for University Hospital said Texas Biomed staff members would be free to go to another hospital, but she confirmed University Hospital does have protocols in place to handle any cases of Ebola, including questions any patient's travel history.
He said the reported breakdown in standard operating procedures at the Dallas hospital was "unfortunate."
The patient Thomas Eric Duncan initially was sent home with antibiotics from the emergency room despite telling a nurse he had been in Liberia.
"I'm sure there was an SOP that wasn't followed and whenever you don't follow the SOPs, these things happen," Carrion said.
As a result, up to 100 people -- including several children -- are being quarantined and monitored for three weeks.
However, a Dallas judge said four of Duncan's relatives are confined to their home under armed guard because they wouldn't comply.
Carrion said he doubts there will ever be an Ebola outbreak in the U.S. because of its public health system, whereas West Africa is dealing with a lack of resources and cultural practices that spread the disease.
He said he understands why people are worried, but the disease is not contagious like the flu.
Carrion said it takes exposure to bodily fluids.
He said, "Blood products, feces, vomit have very high levels of the virus. As long as you stay away from those, you're safe."
Carrion said Texas Biomed is closer now than it's ever been in the testing of possible Ebola vaccines, "more than we were a few years ago because of the development of animal models that are more consistent with the disease."