The Pentagon is developing isolation pods for the C-17 Globemaster aircraft to carry up to 15 service members should they contract Ebola while supporting Operation United Assistance in Africa.
In a hearing before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Friday, Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James Lariviere said development of these units is under way, with testing set for December and expected availability in January.
“We hope to procure a number of these systems to be used if service members are symptomatic,” said Lariviere, the Defense Department’s deputy director for political-military affairs (Africa).
More than 3,200 U.S. troops are being deployed to West Africa to build infrastructure in affected countries, provide security and train local health officials and workers on containment, treatment and response to the virus.
While U.S. troops will not treat patients directly, some risk higher exposure than others, defense officials say. For example, the Navy mans several Ebola testing labs that handle the virus, and some military medical personnel will be training health professionals that come into contact with Ebola patients.
Should a service member contract Ebola, the current plan is to stabilize the patient in a U.S. military “Role 2” hospital in either Senegal or Liberia and evacuate him or her on the specially designed air ambulance under contract with the State Department.
CONFIRMATION OF CURRENT SITUATION
However, that aircraft can transport just one patient at a time and make the trip to West Africa four times a week.