Governor Quinn Directs Illinois Department of Public Health to Require Quarantine to Protect Against Ebola

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn today ordered the Illinois Department of Public Health to require a mandatory 21-day home quarantine for high-risk individuals who have had direct contact with an individual infected with the Ebola virus while in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea.

The mandatory quarantine order includes any high-risk medical personnel who have performed medical services to individuals infected with the Ebola virus. The order will be implemented by local health departments across the state. Previously these high-risk individuals were subject to a voluntary quarantine.

“This protective measure is too important to be voluntary,” Governor Quinn said. “We must take every step necessary to ensure the people of Illinois are protected from potential exposure to the Ebola virus. While we have no confirmed cases of the Ebola virus in Illinois, we will continue to take every safeguard necessary to protect first responders, healthcare workers and the people of Illinois.”

This directive was issued to every local health department in Illinois earlier today.

For the most up to date information visit http://www.idph.state.il.us/ebola/index.htm.