The US administration said it will start redirecting travelers from Uganda to one of five different airports where they can be tested for the Ebola virus.
As of Friday, all passengers arriving in the United States from Uganda will be directed to JFK, Newark Liberty International, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, O’Hare International in Chicago, or Dulles International in Washington, DC, for screening “out of extreme caution,” according to The US Embassy in Uganda, according to the American newspaper “The Hill”.
So far, cases have only been confirmed in Uganda and there have been no probable or confirmed cases of Ebola in the United States.
However, the outbreak is worrisome because of its rapid growth, and because it is caused by a strain for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments.
More than 60 confirmed and probable cases were reported in just two weeks and 29 deaths, including four health workers, according to the World Health Organization.
Global health officials fear that the virus has been spreading undetected for longer than reported.
According to a US administration official, passengers can expect to have their temperature checked and to fill out a health questionnaire about Ebola, and the information will be shared with US and local health departments for follow-up with arrivals, and it is unclear how long these rules will remain in place.
