U.S. Orders Agents To Check Travelers For Ebola Signs At Entry Points
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) -- The federal government is ordering agents at airports and other entry points into the U.S. to begin observing travelers for signs of Ebola.
The CDC says that border health field offices are already located at 20 key points of entry into the U.S. Though these offices are already actively looking for sick travelers with possible contagious diseases, the measures will be "enhanced" to detect possible Ebola cases.
The enhanced entry screenings are being given by Customs and Border Protection agents to travelers who have been in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone at 5 U.S. airports, which the CDC says will evaluate over 94 percent of travelers from the affected countries.
The airports involved are JFK in New York, Chicago O'Hare, Newark Liberty International Airport, Washington Dulles, and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
"Our staff at all airports remain trained and ready to respond to any reports of ill travelers, and our robust public health system is prepared to respond and assist."
Each traveler who has been to an affected country will be subject to the following screening.
-- Travelers will be given a CDC health information packet with information on Ebola and possible symptoms.
-- The traveler will be observed for symptoms of Ebola and have his temperature taken.
-- If a traveler has symptoms or has been exposed to Ebola, they will be referred to the CDC for further evaluation. The CDC will determine if the traveler can continue to travel, needs monitoring, or must be taken to a hospital for testing and treatment.
Since August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been working to provide technical assistance to countries with Ebola outbreaks. Exit screenings are used to determine if a traveler has symptoms or has had possible exposure to Ebola. Based on the screening results, individuals can be prevented from traveling.
On Monday, Texas Governor Rick Perry called on federal officials to implement screening procedures at all U.S. points of entry.
"Customs officials and Border Patrol agents at all points of entry should immediately be directed to conduct enhanced screening procedures," Perry said, "obtaining more information about people who are coming from affected areas, taking appropriate steps upon arrival."
Perry suggested that screeners take the temperature of travelers and conduct other assessments to determine their overall health.
The CDC lists the following as symptoms of Ebola: fever greater than 101.5° C, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Thomas Duncan, who was receiving treatment for the disease at a Dallas hospital after arriving from Liberia, died on Wednesday morning.
A nurse's assistant in Spain became the first person known to have contracted the deadly virus outside of Africa this week.
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