Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon announced Friday that he's releasing $3.3 million previously withheld from the state budget, which will go toward local-level public health agencies around the state. St. Louis Public Radio reported this week that local health officials were concerned that withholding the funds would affect their ability to prepare for the Ebola threat.
Nixon also said the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory has been designated an official Ebola testing lab by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Nixon made that announcement Friday at the state lab, which is located in Jefferson City just east of the old Missouri State Prison site.
"This lab has received national awards from the Association of Public Health Laboratories and the CDC, and is consistently ranked in the top 10 percent for performance in emergency response drills," Nixon said. "With an exceptional track record and an unwavering commitment to excellence, the scientists and technicians here are uniquely qualified to perform these tests with the same level of dedication they bring to their work each and every day."
There are currently no cases of Ebola reported in Missouri.
Department of Health and Senior Services Director Gail Vasterling told reporters that lab employees are prepared for the job.
"They have what they need as far as protective equipment, and they have what they need as far as the ability to dispose of hazardous waste here at the lab," Vasterling said. "We also send out health alerts to update all the medical community within the state when necessary about the Ebola issue."
Vasterling also said that the Public Health Lab held a training session and exercise last week that included hospitals, emergency management, and public school officials.
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