The United States will force all flights from countries that have Ebola outbreaks to five airports to allow more through screening for the virus.
Anyone flying into the U.S. from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea will now have to travel through JFK in New York, Newark in New Jersey, Dulles in Washington, D.C., Atlanta or Chicago. The move goes into effect immediately according to the Department of Homeland Security.
“We are working closely with the airlines to implement these restrictions with minimal travel disruption,” Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement. “If not already handled by the airlines, the few impacted travelers should contact the airlines for rebooking, as needed.”
Johnson said that 94% of passengers from those areas reportedly already come through those airports, so it should have minimal impact on the worldwide airline flight schedules.
“We currently have in place measures to identify and screen anyone at all land, sea and air ports of entry into the United States who we have reason to believe has been present in Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea in the preceding 21 days,” Johnson said.
A Washington-based travel group told Reuters that an average of 150 per day come into the U.S. from those countries.
The second nurse infected with Ebola after treating Thomas Eric Duncan has been taken to Emory University in Atlanta to be placed in isolation.
The Centers for Disease Control confirmed they have flown Amber Vinson to Emory University Hospital because the hospital has successfully treated two other Ebola patients, Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol.
“She was rapidly isolated, tested, and the presumptive test was positive. Fellow nurse Nina Pham, who is improving, will remain at Texas Health Presbyterian,” CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden said.
Dr. Frieden said that while ill, Vinson is clinically “stable”.
Texas Governor Rick Perry praised the doctors and those treating the victims.
“This is the first time that our nation has had to deal with a threat such as this,” Perry said. “Everyone is working on this challenge — from the medical professionals at the bedside to the public officials addressing containment of the infection — is working to end the threat posed by this disease. These individuals are keeping the health and safety of Texans and the needs of the patients as their most critical tasks. Every relevant agency at the local, state and national levels is working to support these individuals.”