|
 Staff members at the hospital who had direct
contact with the patient prior to the patient being placed in full
isolation were taken off duty and placed in temporary home
isolation. Those individuals are being closely monitored for any
signs or symptoms of the virus and will be allowed to return to work
once the incubation period is over and they have confirmed negative
laboratory results. Symptoms of MERS may take up to 14 days to
occur.
Presently, no other cases of MERS have been
identified in the U.S.
“We want to reassure residents that we will
continue to work closely with the CDC, Indiana public health
officials and our local health departments throughout this process
to protect the public’s health,” said Illinois Department of Public
Health (IDPH) Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck.
The patient traveled from London to Chicago
O’Hare International Airport on Thursday, April 24, 2014 and then
took a bus to Indiana.
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As a reminder the, IDPH has activated the
expert medical staff at Illinois Poison Center to operate the
MERS-CoV hotline. Illinois residents and medical professionals
who have concerns or questions should call 1-844 565-0256.
For more information about MERS-CoV, including
Frequently Asked Questions, go to
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/MERS/.
[Text received; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT
OF PUBLIC HEALTH] |
