Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) will now serve as the second airport in the U.S. to be used for mandatory Ebola screenings for those returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda or South Sudan. The decision comes amid a fresh outbreak of the virus, which has led to the new measures to curb its spread.
Why Hartsfield-Jackson?
In recent weeks, the DRC and Uganda have seen an outbreak of a new strain of the deadly Ebola virus, known as Ebola Bundibugyo disease. There is currently no vaccine for this particular strain of the virus, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed 82 cases in the DRC and seven deaths, alongside five cases and one death in Uganda. Now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working to prevent the virus from entering the U.S.
Previously, the CDC designated Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Virginia as its first point for Ebola screenings. The Department of Homeland Security announced that all flights carrying passengers who had been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan at any point during the previous 21 days would be diverted there to prevent the potential spread of the virus.
This policy was later expanded to Hartsfield-Jackson due to its established operational procedures and previous experience in passenger screening, according to the CDC. The airport is now functioning as the second point for Ebola screenings in the U.S.
What comes next?
This measure is part of a broader strategy implemented regarding Ebola in the U.S. The Trump administration has also banned non-citizens who have recently travelled to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan from entering the country. Shortly after this policy was implemented, an Air France flight was forced by U.S. border officials to divert to Canada after it was discovered that a passenger from the DRC was on board.
Dr. Robert Redfield, a former CDC director, told NewsNation of his concerns that the virus could become a major regional pandemic:
“I suspect this is going to become a very significant pandemic. [It will] probably leak into Tanzania, leak into South Sudan, maybe leak into Rwanda.”
So far, no cases of Ebola have been reported in the U.S. during the current outbreak of the virus.
Do you think these measures will be effective in preventing the spread of the virus? Let us know in the comments below!
