NYC Airports to Begin Enhanced Ebola Screenings for Travelers from Africa

NEW YORK (PIX11) – A major New York City airport will soon begin enhanced Ebola screening procedures as part of new federal precautionary measures, according to a memo obtained by PIX11 News.

Starting Thursday, May 29, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will implement expanded health checks for arriving passengers who have recently traveled from parts of Central and East Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan.

The screening initiative also applies to other major U.S. airports, including Washington Dulles International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Under the new directive, any American citizen who has been in the affected countries within 21 days of returning to the United States must undergo enhanced screening at designated airports.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), travelers will be guided to a special screening area upon arrival, where they will complete a short questionnaire about travel history and possible symptoms. CDC personnel will monitor travelers for signs of illness and take temperature readings.

Passengers showing no symptoms but who have traveled from the listed countries will be allowed to continue to their final destinations but will receive guidance on monitoring their health. Their contact information may also be shared with local and state health departments for follow-up monitoring.

If a traveler is found to have symptoms such as fever, CDC officials will conduct further evaluation and coordinate with health authorities for contact tracing if necessary.

Authorities emphasized that, as of now, no suspected, probable, or confirmed Ebola cases have been reported in the United States.

The enhanced screening measures are described as a proactive step in response to ongoing Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa.