The U.S. health care apparatus is so unprepared and short on resources to deal with the deadly Ebola virus that even small clusters of cases could overwhelm parts of the system, according to an Associated Press review of readiness at hospitals and other components of the emergency medical network. [...] Ebola is not the only possible danger that causes concern; experts say other deadly infectious diseases — ranging from airborne viruses such as SARS, to an unforeseen new strain of the flu, to more exotic plagues like Lassa fever — could crash the health care system. To assess America's ability to deal with a major outbreak, the AP examined multiple indicators of readiness: training, staffing, funding, emergency room shortcomings, supplies and protection for health care workers. Supplies, training and funds are all limited, and there are concerns about whether health care workers would refuse to treat Ebola patients. — While most providers are willing to care for people infected with Ebola virus, an August study shows many feel unprepared. Health care research group Black Book Rankings sought opinions from hospital administrators and staff about Ebola readiness and nearly 1,000 personnel at 389 facilities, including 282 hospitals, participated.