HOUSTON – Enhanced Ebola screenings are beginning Tuesday night at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport as federal officials respond to an ongoing Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.
The new screenings are part of a directive issued by the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Under the order, all flights to the United States carrying passengers who recently traveled from or were present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days must arrive at one of three designated airports for enhanced health screening.
Beginning after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time Tuesday, Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport officially joins the list alongside Washington Dulles International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Federal officials say travelers arriving from those countries will be escorted to a separate screening area.
According to the CDC, the screenings will include:
- A questionnaire about travel history and symptoms
- A temperature check using a non-contact thermometer
- Additional evaluation by a CDC public health officer if a traveler has a fever or other symptoms
Officials say travelers who do not show symptoms will receive instructions to monitor their health upon arrival. Their contact information will also be shared with state and local health departments for follow-up monitoring.
The federal order applies to anyone who has been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days before entering the United States.
Cargo-only flights and flight crews are exempt from the restrictions.
Authorities describe the enhanced screenings as a proactive safety measure to protect the American public during the ongoing Ebola outbreak overseas.
Travelers heading to Bush Airport for summer travel should be aware of the additional screening measures, though officials have not announced any broader impacts to airport operations or domestic travel.