Ebola Screenings Start At O'Hare In Response To Outbreak

CHICAGO, IL — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have started screening travelers at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in response to a growing Ebola outbreak in some African countries.

Federal health officials say the new measures at the airport are intended to prevent any spread of the deadly disease in the U.S.

Additionally, people who have traveled through Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or South Sudan in the last 21 days are being denied entry unless they are U.S. citizens. Returning citizens and permanent residents will undergo additional screening measures at O'Hare.

Those who exhibit symptoms of Ebola during screenings will be taken to a quarantine station for another screening.

Federal health officials maintain the risk of spread to the public is low.

The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency due to the Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. WHO said the outbreak does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency.

As of May 16, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths have been reported in parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Two laboratory-confirmed cases with no apparent link to each other have been reported in Uganda among people who traveled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Illinois Department of Public Health describes Ebola as a deadly disease caused by the Ebola virus. Symptoms typically begin within eight to 10 days of coming into contact with blood or bodily fluids of an infected person.

Symptoms of Ebola include:

• fever
• headache
• joint and muscle pain
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• lack of appetite
• abnormal bleeding.

According to the CDC, people with Ebola disease may experience "dry" symptoms early in the course of illness. These symptoms may include fever, aches, pains, and fatigue. As the person becomes sicker, the illness typically progresses to "wet" symptoms and may include diarrhea, vomiting, and unexplained bleeding.

Anybody who believes they are experiencing symptoms of Ebola is advised to contact their doctor immediately.