WASHINGTON — With Ebola fears proliferating, members of the pharmacy community should provide a calming and educated voice by reminding patients that the risk of infection in the United States is very low.

That is the message of Rx Response, which is urging pharmacists to remind people that many other endemic diseases and conditions are far more likely to have similar symptoms to acute Ebola infection, such as influenza. In light of that, the group, which is dedicated to helping ensure the continued flow of medicine during public health emergencies, has encouraged pharmacists to reinforce the importance of a flu shot.

At the same time, the organization has issued a number of resources for stores to deal with potential Ebola patients, prompted in part by a major pharmacy chain.

Rx Response, whose members span the biopharmaceutical supply chain, has released guidelines for what to do when a sick patient comes to a pharmacy. It has also started a blog titled “What can be done across the health care community to best respond to infectious diseases like Ebola?”

Walgreen Co. is in communication with its clinicians and health care providers “as needed to ensure they have the latest information necessary for appropriate triage of patients, to help ensure provider safety and to address any patient questions or concerns,” says a company spokeswoman.

Rite Aid Corp. associates have received information and guidance on how to handle and safely respond to incidents in stores. “Additionally, as a health care provider, we are committed to providing our associates with accurate and up-to-date information to help assist and educate patients with Ebola concerns,” says a spokeswoman for the chain.

Rx Response director Dr. Erin Mullen, a pharmacist, emergency manager and disaster responder, blogged that the role of the community pharmacist as an educated, trusted health care resource has been brought to the forefront.

“As there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment, the pharmacist has a response role that includes arming the public with accurate information, warning of counterfeit claims of Ebola ‘cures,’ and explaining the true risk of exposure while, perhaps, recommending interventions to prevent diseases that are far more likely,” she said.

The organization’s pharmacist guidelines for Ebola call for evaluating whether sick patients have a fever over 100.4˚ Fahrenheit, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting or diarrhea, abdominal pain and unexplained hemorrhaging. Pharmacies should also determine whether patients meet high-risk exposure criteria. If the criteria are met, staffers should limit exposure by keeping at least three feet away from a patient, and refer him or her to an emergency room.