Sales for medical masks and body suits are flying to new highs since the first case of the Ebola virus was diagnosed in the United States little more than two weeks ago.
Medline Industries in Illinois told The Chicago Tribune that it is getting five times as many phone calls for protective gear since the Ebola scare. The company is selling 40 percent more face masks and 25 percent more protective body equipment.
“A lot of the initial interest [in the kits] has come from the Texas area for obvious reasons,” said Medline division president Dante Tisci. “What we’re doing right now is upping our inventory levels on our stock kits so they’re available. We’re stocking up in anticipation that the demand is going to grow.”
Thomas Eric Duncan was diagnosed with Ebola in Dallas on September 30 after flying to the United States from his native Liberia. Infected Dallas nurse Amber Vinson flew on a commercial flight to Ohio after coming into contact with the disease, it was revealed Wednesday.