Email Body:
The Advance Warning System (AWS) disseminates information to New Yorkers with special needs through their service providers. Please share the important information below with your clients and other agencies or individuals to empower them to make informed decisions:
Good morning AWS Partners,
As has been reported, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ? through laboratory tests ? confirmed the first case of the Ebola virus to be diagnosed in the United States in a person who had traveled to Dallas, Texas from West Africa.
There are no confirmed cases in New York City or the surrounding area at this time. However, New York City regularly monitors and responds to disease outbreaks. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) has full confidence in the city's healthcare community and when addressing possible concerns, Dr. Mary Bassett, the DOHMH Commissioner said: "The city's healthcare community knows exactly what to do if they come across a person who might be infected."
Ebola is a severe, often fatal disease that affects humans and some animals. Ebola spreads through direct contact with an infected person's or animal's skin, blood or body fluids. It cannot be spread simply by being near someone who is infected. People can be infected by touching objects that contain infected blood or body fluids, such as needles or bed sheets.
The New York City Office of Emergency Management will continue to work closely with DOHMH and all other partners on this issue and will send out additional updates as needed.
For information about Ebola, please see the resources below.
New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene's Ebola webpage
CDC's Ebola webpage
Follow Dr. Mary T. Bassett on Twitter, @DrMaryTBassett
Follow the CDC on Twitter, @cdcgov
Please share the above information as appropriate.
NYC OEM Human Services Unit:
Human Services email distribution list: humanservices@oem.nyc.gov
Johanna Conroy
Director of Human Services
Cell: 917-662-3295
jconroy@OEM.NYC.GOV
Marianne Jackson
Special Needs Liaison
Cell: 646-335-5693
mjackson@oem.nyc.gov
Cynthia Barton
Disaster Housing Recovery Plan Manager
Cell: 917-468-2768
cbarton@oem.nyc.gov
Eli Fresquez
Special Needs Coordinator
Cell: 347-386-0389
efresquez@oem.nyc.gov
Jay Brandt
Human Services Emergency Preparedness Manager
Cell: 646-596-3147
jbrandt@oem.nyc.gov
Annette Santiago
Director of Human Resources
Cell: 347-534-7028
asantiago@oem.nyc.gov
Marnie Suss
Interagency Training Coordinator
Cell: 718-468-1728
msuss@oem.nyc.gov