UPDATE: Kane Health Department Warns of First Chicago Case of Coronavirus

UPDATE: Kane Health Department Warns of First Chicago Case of Coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed the first Chicago case of Coronavirus, the disease that has killed more than dozens of people and infected at least 800 worldwide.

At this time (Friday, Jan. 24, 2020), there have been no positive cases of individuals with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Kane County, the Kane County Health Department said. (The KCHD news release is posted below.)

According to the CDC and media reports, a woman in her 60s and from Chicago came in through O’Hare International Airport on Jan. 13.

WGN reports that the woman is hospitalized in isolation. She is reported to be well and in stable condition.

Health officials said there “is no immediate threat to the general public in Chicago.”

The Wall Street Journal explains that the Wuhan virus belongs to a family of respiratory viruses that can be spread by coughing, kissing or making contact with saliva.

The World Health Organization said Thursday that it is too early to declare the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak a global emergency.

Kane County Health Department Continues to Monitor Novel Coronavirus Situation

The Kane County Health Department is actively monitoring the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) situation.

This morning (Friday, Jan. 24, 2020), Chicago health officials, the Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first case in Illinois.

This is the second case reported in the United States. The first was identified in Seattle, Washington.

The Kane County Health Department is in regular communication with local health care providers to monitor this situation and remains ready to investigate any potential cases of novel coronavirus within Kane County.

For additional information and current updates on the novel coronavirus situation, please visit the KCHD website at KaneHealth.com.

Current state and federal guidance provides that symptoms include the following: fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Primary risk factors include a history of travel to Wuhan City, China, or close contact with a person positive for 2019-nCoV while that person was ill.

Please contact your doctor or health provider first to report a suspected illness. They may advise you to take quarantine precautions upon arrival at their facility to prevent the spread of infection to other patients. Health providers will contact KCHD in the event that a case of novel coronavirus is suspected.

It is important to remember that the flu season is ongoing and the influenza rate is currently high. There is potential to confuse symptoms of influenza with other viruses.

State and federal officials advise that only those individuals who have traveled through the affected areas or have been exposed to individuals who were positive for novel coronavirus are considered at risk.

As in all viral cases, it is advised to wash your hands frequently, avoid interacting with people who are sick and make sure you are up to date on your immunizations.

Although it has no known effect on coronavirus, it is not too late to get a flu shot to protect yourself. Shots are available at the KCHD, 1240 N. Highland Ave. in Aurora, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, visit KaneHealth.com or call 630-208-3801.

Full CDC News Release

2nd Case of Coronavirus in U.S. Is Confirmed

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today confirmed the second infection with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States has been detected in Illinois. The patient recently returned from Wuhan, China, where an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by this novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December 2019.

The patient returned to the U.S. from Wuhan on January 13, 2020, and called a health care provider after experiencing symptoms a few days later.  The patient was admitted to a hospital, where infection control measures were taken to reduce the risk of transmission to other individuals. The patient remains hospitalized in an isolation room in stable condition and is doing well.

Based on the patient’s travel history and symptoms, health care professionals suspected 2019-nCoV. A clinical specimen was collected and sent to CDC, where laboratory testing confirmed the infection.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating locations where this patient went after returning to Illinois and are identifying any close contacts who were possibly exposed.  The patient has limited close contacts, all of whom are currently well and who will be monitored for symptoms. Since returning from China, the patient has had very limited movement outside the home.

CDC is taking aggressive public health measures to help protect the health of Americans.  While CDC considers this a serious public health threat, based on current information, the immediate health risk from 2019-nCoV to the general American public is considered low at this time.

CDC is working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and other local partners. A CDC team has been deployed to support the ongoing investigation.

However, CDC has been proactively preparing for the introduction of 2019-nCoV in the U.S. for weeks, including:

  • First alerting clinicians on January 8 to be on the look-out for patients with respiratory symptoms and a history of travel to Wuhan, China.
  • Developing guidance for clinicians for testing and management of 2019-nCoV, as well as guidance for home care of patients with 2019-nCoV.
  • Has developed a diagnostic test to detect this virus in clinical specimens. Currently, testing must take place at CDC, but CDC is preparing to share these test kits with domestic and international partners.
  • Implementing public health entry screening at Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), and San Francisco (SFO) airports.  CDC is currently evaluating the extent and duration of this enhanced screening.
  • CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to better provide ongoing support.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others circulating among animals including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people, such as has been seen with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). Investigations are ongoing to learn more, but person-to-person spread of 2019-nCoV is occurring.

It is likely there will be more cases reported in the U.S. in the coming days and weeks. CDC will continue to update the public as circumstances warrant.  While the immediate risk of this new virus to the American public is believed to be low at this time, there are simple daily precautions that everyone should always take.

It is currently flu and respiratory disease season, and CDC recommends getting vaccinated, taking everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.  Right now, CDC recommends travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Wuhan, China. In addition, CDC recommends people traveling to China practice certain health precautions like avoiding contact with people who are sick and practicing good hand hygiene.

For more information about the current outbreak in China, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. For travel health information, visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/pneumonia-china.