Hospitals, Emergency Responders Say They Are Prepared For Ebola
(CBS) -- Precautions to protect us against spread of Ebola are now widespread. We saw evidence of that in Chicago, though no cases have been reported here.
At Lurie Children's Hospital, registered nurse Beth Brus reaches into a bag with the label -- 'for Ebola only.' She showed CBS 2 her protective wear and the hospital's isolation rooms.
"Our hospitals have been deeply involved in Ebola planning," said Dr. Stanford Shulman.
Dr. Shulman says that planning includes knowing what questions to ask people with Ebola symptoms.
"Have they travelled anywhere out of the country? If so, where? have they been exposed to anyone who's travelled out of the country within the last three weeks?"
Passengers arriving at O'Hare today from overseas said they had answered several similar questions in Europe.
Rosemary Bangoo from Kenya says she was asked, "Whether I've had any signs of fever, flu?"
Monday night, Chicago firefighters rushed to O'Hare when a passenger vomited on a plane. The department's guidelines for Ebola are the same as any other infectious disease.
"We practice something called BSI: Body Substance Isolation," said Chicago Fire Department Deputy Chief Mary Sheridan.
Sheridan says firefighters wear gloves and masks and vehicles are ready too.
"All of our ambulances, all of our fire engines and trucks are equipped with isolation packs to protect their members and also to protect the patients," Sheridan said.
One passenger from the Ivory Coast told us he was questioned by a customs' officer at O'Hare. We have to emphasize, there have been no cases of Ebola reported in Chicago or Illinois.