Patient being monitored for Ebola symptoms

December 19, 2014

The University of Chicago Medical Center this morning admitted a child for observation to rule out Ebola virus disease. Federal authorities identified the child as having a fever but no other symptoms of Ebola during screening at O'Hare International Airport.

The patient has been isolated under strict quarantine protocols until the child's condition improves and a diagnosis is established. The patient has been assigned a dedicated and highly trained team composed of nurses, physicians and other health care professionals. We have absolute confidence in this team's ability to safely care for this patient.

The patient is in stable condition at this time. No other information can be shared about the child due to patient privacy laws.

The University of Chicago Medical Center is one of the Ebola treatment facilities identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This designation reinforces the city's and state's confidence in our ability to care for patients with or suspected of having Ebola when we were selected to be part of the Chicago Ebola Resource Network, one of only four medical centers in the city.

There have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in Chicago. There is no threat to the public, our staff and our patients. Clinics and operating rooms at the medical center remain on their normal schedules.

We are communicating directly with local and national public health officials about this case. The next update will be provided at 5 p.m. today by email.