ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WOWO): Which should Allen County residents be more concerned about Ebola or the flu? According to Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deborah McMahan, the answer is the flu.

“I think when we look at what's the most common thing that we will all be exposed to, I think it probably would be influenza. And then unless you have plans to vacation in western Africa, I think you're unlikely to be exposed to Ebola virus.”

While it’s important to acknowledge people’s fears, officials with the Fort Wayne – Allen County Health Department say, it’s also important to put the risk into context. Allen County residents are far more likely to be exposed and become ill from the flu or other respiratory viruses that circulate this time of year than a foreign disease threat.

Meanwhile, McMahan says protecting Allen County residents from emerging disease threats is a core function of the health department.

“As we are all too aware, any infectious disease in the world is only a plane ride away,” says McMahan. Ever since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s announcement on September 30 of the first Ebola case to be diagnosed in the U.S. in Dallas, we have been preparing to respond to this latest disease threat should the need arise.”

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Although it's highly unlikely there would be an Ebola case in our community, local hospitals and healthcare settings remain alert and ready to provide care, if necessary. According to a press release issued by the health department, processes are already in place to assess patients with travel history or other known risk factors of Ebola who seek care at local hospitals. Public and private healthcare workers and first responders are also reviewing their internal procedures on use of personal protective equipment, isolating ill patients and disposing of waste.