CDC Mobilizes Staff for Ebola Passenger Screenings Amid DRC Outbreak
The CDC is actively recruiting personnel to conduct health screenings at select U.S. airports for travelers arriving from Central Africa due to rising Ebola concerns stemming from an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an urgent appeal to its staff for assistance in screening passengers from Central Africa for signs of Ebola. This initiative follows travel restrictions implemented last week for non-U.S. citizens who have visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past three weeks. According to an internal email from acting CDC Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the screenings will take place at Dulles International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
CDC personnel from various roles, including public health advisors and medical providers, will monitor passengers for illness symptoms, conduct temperature checks, and refer those displaying signs of sickness for further evaluation. The need for heightened vigilance comes amidst warnings from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) regarding the escalating rate of Ebola infections, which could lead to one of the deadliest outbreaks on record without swift international intervention.
The IRC highlighted that the outbreak is no longer confined to the remote areas of the DRC's Ituri province, warning that the virus is spreading to larger urban centers, including Goma and Kampala. The organization emphasized that healthcare workers are facing challenges due to a lack of personal protective equipment, which has resulted in some contracting the virus.
Currently, over 900 suspected cases and at least 223 deaths have been reported across DRC and Uganda. Earlier predictions suggest that the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, the variant currently affecting this outbreak, has case fatality rates between 30% and 50%, with no approved vaccines or treatments available. The WHO Director-General described the situation as "extremely serious," indicating that it may worsen before it improves. He echoed the sentiment that collective action is essential to effectively combat this outbreak and prevent further loss of life. The ongoing situation has prompted travel restrictions from several countries, including the U.S., which limits entry for those who have visited the affected regions recently.
