Poll: Many doubt hospitals can handle Ebola

A new poll finds most Americans have some confidence that the U.S. health care system will prevent Ebola from spreading in this country, but they're not so sure their local hospital can safely handle a patient.

The Associated Press-GfK poll also finds that most Americans say the U.S. should be doing more to stop Ebola in West Africa. Health authorities have been clear that until that epidemic ends, travelers could unknowingly carry the virus anywhere.

Nearly a quarter of Americans are very confident the U.S. health care system can prevent Ebola from spreading widely, and 40 percent are moderately confident.

But nearly half don't think their local hospital can safely treat an Ebola case, and 31 percent are only moderately confident that it can.

The poll was conducted Oct. 16-20.