Mississippi health officials open 24-hour Ebola hotline

thomas-dobbs-3746f854763f0fdf — State Epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs, speaks on some of the precautions health workers are now employing when handling a suspected Ebola infected person at a briefing in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014. State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier said the disease is a low-risk in Mississippi, however, the Health Department is working with hospitals to get staff trained and prepared to handle any cases that might show up. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

State Epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs, speaks on some of the precautions health workers are now employing when handling a suspected Ebola infected person at a briefing in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014. State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier said the disease is a low-risk in Mississippi, however, the Health Department is working with hospitals to get staff trained and prepared to handle any cases that might show up. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — Mississippi has opened a 24-hour Ebola hotline for people with questions about the virus.

It’s not a message tree — it’s answered by people. The Mississippi State Department of Health says that if necessary, the those people will direct case-specific calls to health officials.

The state epidemiologist, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, says a case of Ebola in Mississippi is highly unlikely, But he says the department continues to be sure the state is prepared if one occurs.

He says officials realize many people are worried about Ebola, and the hotline should help answer general questions about the disease.

The hotline number is 1-877-222-9358.

Mississippi also has information about the virus and state preparedness on its website at www.HealthyMS.com/Ebola.