The United States has initiated a policy to reroute travelers from specific African countries to selected airports for more thorough health checks. This strategy aims to identify individuals who may have encountered the Ebola virus.
Screening Begins at JFK
John F. Kennedy International Airport will commence Ebola screenings after late Thursday, joining three other U.S. airports in these efforts. These checks follow similar procedures already taking place at Washington Dulles, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airports. These measures mark an attempt to prevent Ebola’s entry into the country.
Participating Airports and Procedures
Travelers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda are directed to certain airports for screenings that identify potential Ebola exposures. A recent announcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection detailed this addition to JFK.
“Kennedy Airport previously conducted such checks during other public health crises,” stated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
All individuals from affected regions could undergo screenings, regardless of their immigration status.
Current Outbreak Details
The ongoing Ebola outbreak has resulted in over 1,000 cases and more than 200 fatalities. Experts indicate that the U.S. Agency for International Development’s dismantling in the prior year hampered outbreak detection and response capabilities.
Government Response
The Trump administration is determined to exclude Ebola from the U.S. entirely, including denying entry to affected American citizens. On Thursday, plans were announced for a quarantine center in Kenya. This 50-bed facility aims to contain Americans exposed to the virus and includes adjacent facilities for isolation and biocontainment.
Though the facility will open soon, officials have not specified when the biocontainment will become operational. Efforts continue to locate European treatment centers for those requiring advanced care.
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