NYC Health + Hospitals led clinicians through a Marburg virus training Aug. 2 to test the health system's "ability to identify and isolate 'patients' with simulated Marburg virus symptoms and safely transport them," using hazmat suits and proper infection protocols, according to a news release shared with Becker's.
Hospital employees were not notified of the training prior to its occurrence. The exercise was prompted by recent concerns of the virus' spread across Africa earlier this year.
While the outbreaks in Africa have since ended and the risk of Marburg infections coming to New York remains low, the training allowed clinicians to practice extreme measures they may one day need to practice in the event of Marburg cases or another infectious disease.
"We constantly need to practice swift and strong responses to protect New Yorkers from public health threats including highly lethal infectious diseases," Jason Graham, MD, chief medical examiner of New York City said in a statement. "Our recent experience with the COVID-19 pandemic shows the crucial role that OCME plays to manage decedents with safe protocols and support families touched by loss. We appreciate the opportunity to share this expertise with partners during the exercise yesterday and will be ready to assist with any and all future emergencies."