On Thursday, federal officials announced that the United States will begin screening passengers at five airports for Ebola if they had visited Uganda during the previous three weeks.
According to the World Health Organization, Uganda, a country in East Africa, is experiencing a devastating Ebola outbreak, with 63 confirmed or probable cases and 29 fatalities. There have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
U.S. health officials have said that the CDC is coordinating closely with the health ministry in Uganda and the WHO to combat the outbreak.
According to a health alert issued by the U.S. Embassy in Uganda on Thursday, travellers who have visited the East African country within the past 21 days will be directed to either New York JFK, Newark Liberty International Airport, Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, Chicago O’Hare International Airport, or Washington Dulles International Airport.
A federal health official has said that passengers arriving from Uganda at those airports will be subject to temperature tests and contact information verification. The official confirmed that airlines will provide passenger data to the CDC for use in health surveillance. Local follow-ups can be conducted by state health departments who will receive contact information.
Because of the length of time it takes for Ebola to incubate, the tests have been adjusted accordingly. Until they develop symptoms, which can happen anywhere from two to twenty-one days after infection, those infected with the virus are not contagious to others. Usually, symptoms won’t show up for another week or so.
The Sudan ebolavirus strain of Ebola is responsible for the current outbreak in Uganda. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the virus can be transferred through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, an infected animal, or a contaminated object. The health authorities has stated that airborne transmission of Ebola is not possible.
In addition to stomach discomfort, diarrhoea, and vomiting, other symptoms include uncontrollable bleeding, bruising, or bleeding, a high temperature, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and so on. Red eyes, a rash, and hiccups are also symptoms.
The FDA has not approved a vaccination specifically for the Sudan ebolavirus strain. Zaire ebolavirus vaccine authorised by FDA based on animal tests; CDC says it won’t protect against Sudan strain. Treatment for Sudan ebolavirus is likewise not available.
A CDC health notice issued on Thursday urged medical professionals to be on the lookout for people who might be infected with Ebola. Any patient suspected of having the disease should have a thorough travel history obtained, especially if they have travelled to the districts of Uganda where the outbreak has occurred.
It has been verified that the virus is present in the Mubende, Kasanda, and Kyegegwa areas of Uganda.