Illinois Department of Public Health
Director outlines Ebola preparedness in Illinois
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[October 09, 2014]
CHICAGO
– Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, director of the Illinois Department of Public
Health (IDPH), today briefed the media and public about the state’s
preparedness efforts should a case of Ebola be suspected or confirmed in
Illinois. At this time, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of
Ebola in Illinois.
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“I want to reassure the people of Illinois that the state is
reviewing and confirming protocols and plans already in place to
ensure our public health systems is able to quickly identify a
potential case, evaluate the person and isolate them if needed,
implement infection control practices, conduct contact tracing of
people potentially exposed to a suspected case, submit specimens for
laboratory testing and provide care for the patient,” said Dr.
Hasbrouck. “If there is a suspected or confirmed case of Ebola in
Illinois, we will immediately inform the public and provide as much
information as possible.”
It is important to remember that Ebola is NOT an airborne infection.
Ebola is spread through direct contact (through broken skin or
mucous membranes) with blood or body fluids (including but not
limited to urine, saliva, feces, vomit, and semen) of a person who
is sick with Ebola. A person who is not experiencing symptoms such
as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, cannot transmit the virus.
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Any Illinois hospital following CDC's infection control
recommendations and can isolate a patient in a private room is
capable of safely managing a patient with Ebola.
Handling disease outbreaks is a core public health function and the
state is prepared to conduct surveillance for possible cases,
implement infection control measures, support medical facilities,
perform contact tracing and assist with laboratory testing. IDPH
will continue to work with the CDC, local health departments,
hospitals and medical facilities.
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Preparedness steps IDPH has taken to prepare for a suspect or
confirm Ebola case in Illinois:
- Provided guidance on laboratory specimen submission and case
management.
- Tested established public health systems to ensure contact
tracing is readily available.
- Confirmed plans to establish an Ebola hotline should one be
needed.
- Created a web portal with information for IDPH health care
partners.
- Completed a CDC online assessment of our emergency
preparedness and response activities related to Ebola.
- Participated in national Ebola-related teleconferences.
IDPH will continue to provide all updated CDC guidance
through SIREN (State of Illinois Rapid Electronic Notification)
to appropriate audiences (Infection Control Professionals,
Infectious Disease Physicians, Laboratories, Local Health
Departments, Health Care Providers, Health Care Facilities, EMS
Systems).
For the most up to date information visit
http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbebola.htm
[Illinois Department of Public
Health] |