Local Health Officials Remain Vigilant For Ebola Cases
(CBS) -- State and local health officials say the risk of Ebola occurrences here in Illinois remains low, but the health care system remains vigilant, reports WBBM Political Editor Craig Dellimore.
Dr. Julie Morita, Chief Medical Officer for the Chicago Department of Health, says the reality is that the Ebola virus is hard to transmit and there are no cases in Chicago, but as long as the disease exists in West Africa, there is a risk and we can't let our guard down.
State Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck says there are no Ebola patients in Illinois, but some people have been exposed to the disease.
"There are twelve persons that are meeting the some-risk or the low-risk criteria across the state that are residing here right now as we speak that are requiring some active home monitoring and that means that they are in touch with their local health department, they are checking their symptoms, their temperature twice a day and they are reporting that," Dr. Hasbrouck said.
He says hospitals are well prepared to cope with any Ebola cases but better training is needed elsewhere and proper ways to put on and take off protective equipment.