dr. sarah cody is the health officer in santa clara county. >> it sets a floor and sort of a holding legal order for someone until the local health department can interview the traveler, really understand the exposures and understanding any restrictions that might need to be put in place. >> reporter: this doctor is preparing to leave for west africa to treat ebola patients. he is affiliated with ucsf and the uc berkeley school of public health. he was planning to impose a 21 day quarantine on himself upon his return, even before the state mandate was issued. that means isolation from his 2-year-old daughter and wife. >> i really wish i could interact with them but because of this public perception, i don't want them to be stigmatized on account of my actions in the field. >> reporter: one by one, government agencies seem to be standardizing the 21 day quarantine measure which will lead to uniformity. it will also put volunteer health workers on notice of this obligation upon their return. in san jose, david louie, abc 7 news. >> today, president barack obama met with health care workers a

dr. sarah cody is the health officer in santa clara county. >> it sets a floor and sort of a holding legalhe local health department can interview the traveler, really understand the exposures and understanding any restrictions that might need to be put in place. >> reporter: this doctor is preparing to leave for west africa to treat ebola patients. he is affiliated with ucsf and the uc berkeley school of public health. he was planning to impose a 21 day quarantine on himself upon his return, even before the state mandate was issued. that means isolation from his 2-year-old daughter and wife.

dr. sarah cody is also confident in the county's plan.he says the health department has been working with local hospital, private doctors and paramedics to make sure they're on the lookout for symptoms of ebola and follow critical steps to prevent the spread of infection. but these nurse says throughout the bay area, more still needs to be done. >> we are remaining extremely concerned about the lack of preparedness. >> reporter: here in santa clara county, the public health officer admits that despite the preparations that have already been made, there are still some gaps in the county, which includes the need to find a company that can safely remove infectious waste. reporting live in san jose, marianne favro, nbc bay area news. >> marianne, thanks very much. and on top of everything we've covered so far, another ebola scare at a southern california airport. a hazmat team was called to l.a.x. today after a passenger on a united airlines flight from new york got sick mid flight. the female passenger had flu-like symptoms and was vomiting,