From Staff Reports 

 Local agencies say they have discussed the Ebola virus — a disease that has become a global health crisis — and have a plan in place in case it hits Western North Carolina, Mission Health, which owns the area’s largest hospital system, reported on Oct. 10.

The report noted that an early October meeting about Ebola included Mission Hospital experts, Asheville Regional Airport officials, emergency services workers and Buncombe County Health Department representatives.

Several months ago, Mission said it formed a plan to brace for potential cases.

Dr. Chris DeRienzo, chief patient safety officer at Mission Health, the mountains’ largest hospital system, said, “All appropriate precautions are being taken for the small but real possibility of encountering a patient with suspected or confirmed Ebola within Mission Health.”

Dr. DeRienzo added that Mission’s plan goes beyond recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control — and that Ebola is now built into the electronic screening process to help nurses.

 The precautions Mission is taking with regard to Ebola exceed the CDC’s recommended isolation guidelines, which include protective clothing, specific equipment, and medical isolation for the patient, he said.

A team of infectious disease experts are on call 24/7, Dr. DeRienzo stressed.