Ebola Situation Report: Chicago
Chicago Ebola cases and deaths. Ebola and Chicago public health. Updated 2023.
As of today, there have been no cases of Ebola detected in the city of Chicago. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is closely monitoring the situation and working with local healthcare providers and national and international organizations to ensure that the city is prepared in the event of a potential outbreak.
Ebola is a highly infectious and deadly disease caused by a virus. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unexplained hemorrhage. The average case fatality rate is around 50%. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends early supportive care with rehydration, symptomatic treatment, and treatment of any complicating infections to improve survival. There is currently no licensed treatment proven to neutralize the virus but several drugs are being tested.
Background
- Ebola is a highly infectious and deadly disease caused by a virus. It is transmitted through contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.
- The largest recent Ebola outbreak occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and was declared over on June 25, 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). There was also a recent outbreak in Uganda that ended.
- There have been no reported cases of Ebola in the United States since the 2014 outbreak in Texas.
Current Status
- The CDPH is actively monitoring the situation in Uganda and other countries where Ebola is present.
- The CDPH is working with local healthcare providers to ensure that they are prepared to recognize and respond to potential cases of Ebola.
- The CDPH is also working with national and international organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and WHO, to stay informed about the latest developments and recommendations for preventing the spread of Ebola.
Prevention and Control Measures
- The CDPH is reminding the public to take the following precautions to reduce the risk of infection:
- Avoiding contact with blood and bodily fluids of infected individuals
- Avoiding close contact with wild animals and consuming their raw or undercooked meat
- Practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands frequently with soap and water
- The CDPH is also reminding healthcare providers to:
- Be aware of the symptoms of Ebola and know how to properly diagnose and isolate potential cases
- Follow proper infection control and prevention protocols
Conclusion
The CDPH is closely monitoring the situation and working to ensure that the city of Chicago is prepared to respond to a potential outbreak of Ebola. The public is reminded to take precautions to reduce the risk of infection and to seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms of Ebola.