The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases is training a team of 30 first responders that will be used as emergency back up for any Ebola cases detected within the country.
According to Military Times, the team consists of five people trained in infectious disease protocols, five doctors specializing in infectious diseases and 20 critical care nurses. All of them are servicemembers, and they come from multiple military branches. This group will be sent to any medical facilities that may encounter patients who test positive for the highly contagious virus.
The source reported that the team was assembled after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel received a request from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Topics that the emergency team will learn include how to properly use medical hazard gear and how to safely handle people infected with Ebola. Additionally, a few members will receive thorough training specific to controlling contagious hemorrhagic fevers.
Time magazine noted that these medical professionals are being prepared strictly to help U.S. hospitals in the event that they receive an infected patient. They will not be sent overseas to help anti-Ebola initiatives in West Africa.
The team will begin training at Fort Sam in Houston, Texas. They do not have an immediate assignment, but will be kept in "prepare to deploy" status after their training is complete, noted Military Times.