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Omaha biocontainment unit inspected by feds

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August 2nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Federal officials are assessing the Nebraska Medical Center Biocontainment Unit’s ability to treat people infected with the Ebola virus that is sweeping West Africa. The Omaha World-Herald reports that officials with the U.S. State Department inspected the Omaha unit on Friday.

The inspection came as officials prepared to fly two Americans infected with the deadly virus into the U.S. for treatment — the first time anyone infected with Ebola has been brought into the country. Dr. Philip Smith, medical director of the unit, says there are no immediate plans to transfer Ebola patients to the Omaha hospital.

But the Omaha medical center’s 10-bed biocontainment unit is the largest quarantine and treatment facility in the country and could be used if other cases turn up in the U.S.