Alleged Ebola Faker Throws Scare into Christ Hospital

Oak Lawn Patch – by Lorraine Swanson

A woman who claimed she had traveled to Africa arrived at Advocate Christ Medical Center’s emergency room claiming to have Ebola-like symptoms turned out to be an Ebola faker.

On Sunday afternoon when Oak Lawn first responders were dealing with the massive traffic accident at 95th Street and Cicero Avenue, a woman went to Advocate Christ’s emergency room around 5 p.m. seeking treatment for diarrhea, vomiting and fever.

“This patient self-reported having recently traveled to Africa. Out of an abundance of caution, we notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health,” hospital spokeswoman Katie Eller said.  

Oak Lawn Village Manager Larry Deetjen said that Advocate Christ notified village officials early Monday morning about a patient with a possible Ebola infection.

“She walked in and ‘self-reported that she had been traveling to Africa and she had symptoms of Ebola and had traveled during the incubation period,” Deetjen said. “The hospital wisely on Sunday evening per their protocol assembled all appropriate staff at the hospital.”

The patient claimed she had been traveling in Senegal. An Ebola epidemic is currently affecting many countries in West Africa. Health experts estimate the incubation period to be anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure to the Ebola virus.

Deetjen said the village worked quietly throughout the day Monday with Advocate Christ, making calls to the Center for Disease Control, the Cook County Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“We met with our own staff from a public safety and health perspective,” Deetjen said. “We had excellent communication with the county and Cook County Commissioner [John] Daley. “The hospital brought their team into village hall late afternoon and informed us that they were confident there was no evidence that [the patient] had been to Africa.”

The patient is currently being treated for her flu-like symptoms.

“We will continue to take all necessary precautions and work with the appropriate state and federal officials, as well as the Village of Oak Lawn as the circumstances dictate,” Eller said.

Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury said the village held several meetings throughout the day on Monday.

“Our biggest concern was the safety of residents and people coming into Oak Lawn,” Bury said. “Our first responder staff is constantly in that ER.”

Bury added that Advocate Christ staff and county agencies were highly responsive to anything needed in the village “up to the highest level.”

“I can’t say enough good things about Advocate Christ,” the mayor added. “The decision makers for the hospital were all engaged. They came to village hall and we asked questions. We wanted to make sure things were safe. Everyone worked together beautifully.”

According to the mayor, Oak Lawn Emergency Management Agency has protocol in place to handle every type of disaster.

“I’m so grateful that the patient is not in that serious of a condition,” Bury said. “It’s nothing we have to deal with now, but that’s not to say it couldn’t happen in the future.”

http://patch.com/illinois/oaklawn/alleged-abola-faker-throws-scare-christ-hospital#.VDbRVPldWSp