Thursday, October 1, 2026
As health officials monitor an Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, physicians at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream hospital say the risk to the local community remains low, but stress that established screening procedures and preparedness measures are in place should a suspected case arise.
Dr. Salvatore Pardo, chair of emergency medicine, and Dr. Jonathan Garellek, chief of infectious diseases, said recent attention to Ebola stems from outbreaks in Guinea and the Republic of Congo, which have prompted increased awareness among public health agencies and hospitals.
One reason the hospital is paying close attention is Valley Stream’s proximity to John F. Kennedy International Airport. Federal officials have designated JFK as one of a limited number of U.S. airports that may receive travelers from areas associated with the current outbreak.
“Given that we are close to JFK, it’s not so far-fetched that in the event that there were to be a patient coming to JFK, we could be one of the hospitals to receive that patient,” Garellek said.
Travelers arriving from affected regions are screened at the airport as part of efforts to identify potential cases before they enter the community.
Ebola outbreaks occur periodically, prompting public health agencies and health systems to intensify monitoring and preparedness efforts. While multiple layers of screening exist, hospitals must remain prepared to identify and safely manage suspected cases.
If someone arrived at LIJ Valley Stream with symptoms consistent with Ebola and a relevant travel history, hospital staff would immediately isolate the patient and implement infection control protocols. Triage personnel routinely ask about symptoms, travel and potential exposures to identify patients who may require additional precautions.
Staff members receive training on the proper use of personal protective equipment, including masks and protective gowns, with annual instruction for employees who have patient contact. The hospital also conducts preparedness exercises, including mock scenarios when emerging infectious disease events warrant additional review.
Early symptoms of Ebola can resemble those of many viral illnesses, including fever, fatigue and generally feeling unwell. Patients may later develop gastrointestinal symptoms and unexplained bleeding as the illness progresses. Because those symptoms are not unique to Ebola, travel history and possible exposure play a critical role in identifying suspected cases.
The physicians also sought to address common misconceptions about how Ebola spreads. The virus is not transmitted through the air and instead requires exposure to infected bodily fluids. Casual proximity to an infected person does not typically result in transmission, and individuals become infectious only after symptoms begin.
“We’ve seen Ebola outbreaks before, and it doesn’t turn into a Covid outbreak,” Garellek said. “We caution those out there who are concerned and afraid about this to maintain a level of calm, and we don’t believe this is going to be anywhere near a global pandemic, and then we are quite prepared for the possibility of this getting worse.”
Although LIJ Valley Stream has negative-pressure isolation rooms, those rooms are primarily designed for airborne diseases. For Ebola, preventing contact with bodily fluids and using appropriate protective equipment are the key safeguards for health care workers.
Should a suspected Ebola patient present at the hospital, both physicians said the response would involve coordination with local, state and federal public health authorities. The hospital would also notify internal emergency leadership.
“Likely that patient would be transported out and quarantined,” Pardo said. “They get moved to a specialized type of hospital that would be specifically housing these types of patients, and it’s probably only a few in the country.”
Despite the current outbreak overseas, both doctors encouraged residents to remain informed rather than alarmed. They pointed to existing screening systems, established infection control practices, and ongoing monitoring efforts as reasons the public should view the local risk as low. At the same time, health officials continue to monitor developments abroad.
