Kane Co. Health Officials Monitor Deadly Coronavirus

KANE COUNTY, IL — Kane County Health Department officials are keeping in close contact with area medical providers and prepared to investigate any potential cases of the Wuahn coronavirus after the first case was reported late last week in Illinois. As of Friday, there were no positive cases of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, a potentially deadly virus that originated in Wuahn City, China, reported in Kane County, health officials said.

A Seattle, Washignton, patient was the first U.S. patient to contract coronavirus and a Chicago woman is in her 60s was the second. Dr. Nancy Messonnier said during a CDC conference call Friday morning. Messonnier is director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

• Deadly Coronavirus: Illinois Woman Is 2nd Confirmed U.S. Case

CNN is reporting Monday morning that three others in the U.S. have since contracted the virus including a man in his 50s from Orange County, California; a person in Los Angeles County; and a fifth patient in Arizonia. All five of the people who contracted the virus recently traveled to Wuhan City.

Symptoms for the Wuhan coronavirus include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Primary risk factors include a history of travel to Wuhan City, China or close contact with a person positive for 2019-nCoV while that person was ill, according to a news release from the Kane County Health Department.

Anyone with the symptoms should call their doctor or health provider first to report a suspected illness. They may advise you to take quarantine precautions upon arrival at their facility to prevent the spread of infection to other patients, health officials said.

In addition, health providers will contact the Kane County Health Department in the event that a case of novel coronavirus is suspected, according to the news release.

"It is important to remember that the flu season is ongoing and the influenza rate is currently high. There is potential to confuse symptoms of influenza with other viruses," according to Kane County health officials.

• What you should know about coronavirus

State and federal officials are advising that only people who have traveled through the affected areas or have been exposed to individuals who were positive for novel coronavirus are considered at risk.

Area residents are also reminding to wash their hands frequently, avoid interacting with people who are sick and make sure that you are up to date with your immunizations.

More information via KaneHealth.com