The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is asking staff and volunteers to screen travelers for Ebola at select U.S. airports [1].

This mobilization comes as an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda intensifies and spreads faster than containment efforts can manage [2]. The surge in cases has prompted federal health officials to increase surveillance at key points of entry to prevent the virus from entering the United States [3].

The CDC said the request for volunteers was announced May 26, 2024 [4]. Screenings began early Wednesday following the announcement [5]. The agency is targeting three U.S. airports for these enhanced measures [6], including Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport [7].

Health officials are focusing on travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda [8]. Some reports also include South Sudan in the list of affected countries [9]. Travelers who have been in these regions within the last 21 days are subject to screening [10].

The 21-day window aligns with the maximum incubation period for the Ebola virus. By identifying symptomatic travelers early, the CDC aims to isolate potential cases before they can transmit the disease to the general public [10].

Volunteers will assist in identifying passengers with symptoms of the virus and coordinating their transport to medical facilities if necessary. The agency is utilizing its own workforce to ensure that screening protocols are followed at the designated hubs [11].

“The CDC is asking its staff and other volunteers to help screen travelers for Ebola at U.S. airports.”

The decision to deploy CDC staff and volunteers indicates that current containment efforts in Central and East Africa are insufficient to prevent international transmission. By focusing on a small number of high-traffic hubs like Houston, the U.S. is prioritizing a risk-based screening approach over universal checks, acknowledging that while the risk to the general American public remains low, the potential for imported cases has risen significantly.