I-Team: Homeland Security ill-prepared for major epidemic

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As Washington struggles to respond to the Ebola problem the ABC7 Eyewitness News I-Team has obtained a federal investigation that reveals the Department of Homeland Security is incapable of dealing with a major epidemic.

The list of problems that have surfaced since that first Ebola case two weeks ago were predicted in a scathing federal report that went largely unnoticed in August.

Among the stunning findings: There is no official or office at Homeland Security in charge of pandemic supplies, and DHS has no strategy or plan for the storage and distribution of supplies.

While the report focused on a flu pandemic or bio threat, many of the components apply to Ebola.

At Rush University Medical Center Thursday afternoon, hospital officials showed the preparations underway in case they have to treat an Ebola patient.

"It's an impervious gown, it's an impervious booties, gators that go up to the knees," said RN Patty Nedved, Rush University Medical Center. "It's double-gloving, long cuff gloves; it's doing the duct tape around to make sure the seals are intact between the gloves and the gowns."

Rush says its readiness surpasses what the government requires, which may be a good thing.

According to the findings in an Inspector General report from less than two months ago, entitled, "DHS has not effectively managed pandemic personal protective equipment and antiviral medical countermeasures."

The highly critical investigation found:

• There was no official at Homeland Security in charge of pandemic supplies.
• No strategy or plan for the storage and distribution of supplies.
• The reported cited vast stockpiles of supplies that were outdated or useless.
• And inaccurate or non-existent records.

Federal investigators say they found a warehouse full of personal protection suits and respirators that had expired or will soon; millions of surgical masks that no one could explain, and box-loads of hand sanitizer that was long outdated.

DHS's response to the report agreed with the intent of the recommendations, but claimed the Inspector General "misrepresented evidence" and officials defended spending the $47 million in taxpayer funds.

Finally, DHS cited a shelf-life extension program that they claim allows expired items to still be considered useful.

As hospitals in Chicago and across the country prepare for a possible Ebola case or two, health authorities say there is far more risk of a flu pandemic someday before an Africa-style Ebola outbreak. It is that threat that the federal government is unprepared to handle according to the homeland security inspector general.