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Illinois Head Of Public Health Says State Is Prepared To Handle Ebola

(CBS) -- The head of the Illinois Department of Public Health says the state is prepared to deal with Ebola.

O'Hare is expected to start screening passengers from West Africa - starting next week and that means taking their temperature.

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Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck says hospitals are on standby - in case there are cases of Ebola.

"In terms of our quarantine station, there are some partnering hospitals. Resurrection Hospital is one. Rush might be a standby hospital as well."

Dr. Hasbrouck says the state of Illinois is ready - in case Ebola makes its way here.

"We are prepared for that scenario. Our risk is not zero and it won't be zero until we control the epidemic in West Africa."

Dr. Hasbrouck was asked about two aldermen's proposal to test arriving international passengers for several diseases - not just Ebola - and Hasbrouck said he thinks it's overkill.

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