Atlanta airport starts mandatory Ebola screenings for some travelers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded mandatory Ebola screenings to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, targeting U.S. citizens arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. Starting Saturday, travelers undergo temperature checks and complete health questionnaires before continuing their journey, with those cleared required to monitor symptoms for 21 days under state health departments. The screening program, implemented in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and state health agencies, follows similar measures at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., and Bush International Airport in Houston. Officials are monitoring for symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and bleeding, directing suspected cases to local hospitals, likely including Emory University Hospital. Atlanta’s role as a host city for the upcoming World Cup has heightened concerns about disease spread, with infectious disease experts like Dr. Robin Dretler of Emory Decatur Hospital emphasizing the importance of pre-departure screenings. Dr. Cecil Bennett of Newnan Family Medicine Associates stressed that early detection at airports is critical to preventing Ebola’s introduction into the U.S. The current Ebola outbreak has killed at least 220 people, with no vaccine available, prompting the phased rollout of screenings across major U.S. airports. However, medical experts warn that federal budget cuts—including reductions at the CDC and withdrawal from global health initiatives—have weakened the nation’s ability to track and respond to outbreaks. Exact screening numbers remain unclear, as airport officials deferred to the CDC for data, which has not yet provided updates. The expansion reflects growing alarm over global health threats amid strained public health infrastructure.