O'Hare Begins Ebola Health Screenings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security imposed new Ebola-related travel controls on May 18, saying they were acting to keep the virus from entering the United States amid outbreaks in East and Central Africa. Chicago O’Hare International Airport was initially named as one of five airports tied to the response. By May 20, Illinois and Chicago officials said travelers headed for O’Hare from the affected countries were instead being routed through Washington Dulles International Airport for enhanced screening. The measures apply alongside a 30-day CDC order that also restricts entry for some non-U.S. travelers. ### Is O’Hare actually screening passengers now? Chicago’s role shifted within days. The CDC’s May 18 statement said enhanced screening and traveler monitoring would be used for people arriving from outbreak-affected areas, and O’Hare was named in early reports as one of five airports involved. By May 20, the Illinois Department of Public Health told NBC Chicago that travelers bound for O’Hare from outbreak-impacted countries were being funneled through Dulles for screening. CBS Chicago, citing a DHS memo scheduled for publication Thursday, reported that O’Hare would not conduct the enhanced Ebola screening after all, even though the airport had been listed in the original federal order. (cdc.gov) The Chicago Department of Public Health told CBS Chicago that the CDC’s Chicago Port Health Station at O’Hare continues routine infectious-disease surveillance, but that there was no enhanced Ebola screening underway there at that time. ### Who is affected by the new U.S. restrictions? The CDC said the order applies to people arriving from areas affected by Ebola outbreaks in the region and includes enhanced screening and monitoring. (nbcchicago.com) The agency said non-U.S. passport holders are subject to entry restrictions if they were in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or South Sudan during the previous 21 days. The order took effect immediately on May 18 and is set to remain in place for 30 days. (cbsnews.com) NBC Chicago reported that the restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents or members of the armed forces. WGN reported that non-citizens who traveled through the three countries were being denied entry unless they were U.S. citizens. ### Why did the federal government move now? (cdc.gov) The World Health Organization on May 17 declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. WHO said the outbreak involved Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus and said it did not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency. (nbcchicago.com) The CDC said its U.S. measures were based on ongoing outbreaks in East and Central Africa and were intended to reduce the risk of Ebola entering the country. The agency said it still assesses the immediate risk to the general U.S. public as low. Associated Press reporting published May 21 said the outbreak had been tied to more than 130 deaths, more than 500 suspected cases and confirmed cases in Congo and Uganda. (who.int) ### What does screening involve for travelers? The CDC said the response includes enhanced public-health screening, traveler monitoring, coordination with airlines and port-of-entry officials, contact tracing, laboratory testing capacity and hospital-readiness measures. (cdc.gov) The agency also told travelers who had been through affected countries to watch CDC travel notices and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained bleeding within 21 days of travel. (apnews.com) Fox 32 Chicago reported that travelers who recently visited Uganda, Congo or South Sudan could face temperature checks, exposure questions and monitoring requirements. CBS Chicago quoted University of Chicago Medicine infectious-diseases specialist Dr. Emily Landon as saying the process is meant to assess risk and connect travelers to care and follow-up if they become sick. (cdc.gov) ### What should travelers watch next? A DHS memo scheduled for publication Thursday says commercial flights carrying people who traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan will be directed to Washington Dulles International Airport for enhanced screening, according to CBS Chicago. The CDC’s order remains in effect for 30 days from May 18 while federal agencies assess whether additional public-health measures are needed. (fox32chicago.com) (cbsnews.com)