2 patients with Ebola-like symptoms admitted to hospitals in Chicago
A child who threw up on a plane and a man with nausea who landed in Chicago were taken to hospitals as a precaution after being screened for Ebola at O’Hare International Airport.
Doctors do not believe they were exposed to the virus.
Dr. Emily Landon, Head Epidemiologist at University of Chicago Medical Center, said Wednesday the child is in stable condition.
Both patients flew in from Liberia and were taken as a precautionary measure to Chicago hospitals on Tuesday.
The child vomited on the plane and was screened at O’Hare. The patient did not have a fever or any other symptoms. The child was taken to Lurie Children’s Hospital for a full evaluation. Paramedics transferred the child to the University of Chicago Medical Center for ongoing observation in isolation.
In line with Chicago Public Health Department protocol, which goes above Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, the child’s family is also under quarantine. None of those family members have symptoms or were at risk for exposure.
The second patient is in isolation at Rush University Medical Center. The traveler, who was diagnosed with typhoid fever in August, reported nausea and diarrhea. The two passengers did not travel together.
When the adult patient was screened at O’Hare, no fever was reported. There was also no risk of exposure. Doctors at Rush are not testing this person for Ebola, but are monitoring the patient for symptoms.
University of Chicago hospital staff has prepared for a possible Ebola patient. The staff has been trained to effectively use decontamination procedures, protective suits and properly isolating patients. Chicago’s Ebola response network consist of Rush, University of Chicago, Lurie Children’s and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Check back for updates.
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