Brazilian officials hold Ebola readiness drills

2014-08-30 26

(announcement)

The announcement went out over the loud speaker- a passenger suspected of having the Ebola virus has just landed at the international airport in Rio de Janeriro.

Emergency workers don gloves, face masks, and protective gear and head to the site.

(sirens)

This time, it's only a drill, but officials in Rio aren't taking any chances about what to do should a real emergency arise.

Once onboard the plane, the infected passenger is led to a safe and protected environment where doctors can perform an examination.

The West African Ebola outbreak has been declared a public health emergency. So far more than 1400 people have died in the latest outbreak.

Although it's unlikely the disease will reach Brazil, officials say with contingency measures like these in place, they will at least be somewhat prepared if the worse does happen.