No Ebola in Illinois: Officials

by Erin Gallagher

A traveler from Liberia tested negative for the Ebola virus after arriving in Illinois Nov. 16, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). There are no confirmed cases of Ebola in the state.

“At this time, there have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in Illinois and there is no threat to the general public,” said IDPH Director LaMar Hasbrouck in a statement released by the department.

The individual, who was not identified, was evaluated initially and considered low risk. He lacked symptoms of the disease. He then was actively monitored.

On Thursday, he had a fever and was transported to an unidentified hospital following stringent infection control protocols, the statement said.

“In addition to medical evaluation and testing, and after consultation involving the hospital, local health departments, IDPH, and (Center for Disease Control), IDPH performed testing for Ebola as a precaution,” Hasbrouck said. “The test results were negative for Ebola.”

The department made the announcement since it conducted the test. The department declined to release the individual’s name, the hospital location or if the individual was a man or a woman.

“We have promised the public we would let them know if t he Illinois Department of Public Health conducted testing for Ebola, and today, we are doing just that,” Hasbrouck said.

For more information, visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/ebola/index.htm.