The first confirmed case of Ebola in the United States has been reported in Dallas. Officials at UTMB said they are prepared to handle patients and keep the deadly disease from spreading. Dr. Scott Lea, a UTMB associate professor of internal medicine and infectious diseases, said staff at UTMB often speak with state and national health officials about caring for patients with infectious diseases. They have protocols in place to handle such a scenario. Recently, he added, health officials visited UTMB and other infections disease labs to discuss and access their capabilities. The facility is home to a national laboratory dedicated to research on infectious diseases including Ebola, said Lea. He added that the hospital follows strict protocols to isolate Ebola and prevent it from spreading. Staff regularly work with infectious diseases and take proper precautions to avoid exposure. "Hospital precautions are more than adequate," Lea said.