Response plans inadequate

Checks by Reuters show that state and city plans for handling Ebola are based on generic recommendations for disasters from measles to floods, hurricanes and dirty bombs. Health departments in Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, Minnesota, New Jersey, Maryland and Rhode Island are scrambling to adapt the generic plans. They must adapt hospital drills, 911 emergency operator guidelines, quarantine rules, and details such as checking that plastic body bags meet the minimal thickness of 150 micrometers recommended by the CDC. Rand Corp public health expert Chris Nelson:

It takes a certain amount of reverse engineering to get the plan to where it can respond to new, emerging threats.