Dallas County to Vote on Disaster Declaration Due to Ebola Virus

Dallas County Commissioners will vote today to declare a local state of disaster caused by the Ebola virus.

The county “has the potential to suffer widespread or severe damage, injury, loss or threat of life resulting from the Ebola virus,” according to a proposed draft of the declaration.

The county has been preparing contingencies since a Liberian visitor to the U.S. died at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas on Oct. 8. Two healthcare workers involved with the man’s care have tested positive for the virus.

Approval of the proposed order would implement the county’s emergency management system, according to the declaration.