LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The Centers for Disease Control announced it will begin this week to funnel the small number air travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea through six U.S. airports so they can be closely watched for signs of Ebola Virus Disease.
The two countries have experienced outbreaks of Ebola in remote areas and the number of possibly exposed travelers expected is very low, according to a CDC statement.
“Air travel has the potential to transport people, some of whom may have been exposed to a communicable disease, anywhere across the globe in less than 24 hours,'' the CDC said in a press release.. “Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. government will institute public health measures for the very small number of travelers arriving from DRC and Guinea.''
Affected airlines will collect and transmit passenger information to the CDC for follow-up and intervention of all passengers who were in the two countries within the previous 21 days.
“Passengers can expect verification of data on arrival to ensure completeness and accurateness of contact information,'' the CDC said. “This information will be shared with U.S. state and local health departments to appropriately monitor arrivals in their jurisdiction.''
The press release did not identify the six airports but CBS News reported that a source said Los Angeles International was under consideration along with John F. Kennedy in New York, Dulles in the Washington, D.C. area, Chicago's O'Hare and Newark Liberty.
“The risk of Ebola to the United States is extremely low,'' the press statement continued. “The Biden Administration is committed to working closely with the affected countries to end these outbreaks before they grow into epidemics.''
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