In a joint statement from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Chicago Department of Public Health and University of Chicago Medical Center, officials say test results for the Ebola virus were negative for a child who recently traveled from West Africa to Chicago.
The child reportedly had a fever during screening at O’Hare International Airport and was taken to UCMC following stringent infection control protocols for observation and testing. In addition to a medical evaluation, Ebola testing by IDPH was performed as a precaution, the results of which were negative. The child has since been discharged according to officials.
At this time, there have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in Illinois, and experts say there is no threat to the general public. They said travelers from Africa may experience malaria or respiratory illness due to influenza or other non-Ebola associated diseases.
Representatives from the statewide Ebola Task Force, formed by by Gov. Pat Quinn in October, say the agency will continue to work with hospitals and local health departments across Illinois to quickly identify potential cases of Ebola, and take quick action in order to protect the health and safety of all Illinois residents.
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On the Net:
IL Dept. of Public Health Ebola Page
