MIAMI — The Department of Homeland Security is now tracking people flying back to the United States from three Ebola-affected areas.
According to DHS, travelers returning to the U.S. while screening is taking place will not be allowed back into Miami International Airport if they departed from there within the last 21 days.
The DHS notice applies to all airports across the United States.
This week, the U.S. government issued new travel restrictions amid the Ebola outbreak currently impacting the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.
That means non-U.S. citizens traveling from those countries will not be allowed back into Miami International Airport.
Instead, they will be diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia for enhanced screening.
“Our number one thing has to be: We can’t have it affect the United States, we can’t have Ebola cases coming here. So you saw we’re not allowing people to come in,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
The CDC says airlines will contact travelers who were in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the last 21 days to rebook their flights to Dulles.
According to a CDC source, at least 10 CDC staffers are heading to Dulles to help screen passengers.
“So people who do have family there might be traveling and the risk factors are those epidemiological behaviors that put you at high risk for transmission,” said Dr. Rachel Guran from Memorial Healthcare System. “So caring for sick loved ones, being a healthcare worker, taking part in burials and other types of behaviors. If you’re not doing those things, very low likely chance of getting Ebola.”
There, travelers will be observed for symptoms and have their temperatures checked.
Meanwhile, the first confirmed American infected in this outbreak is a doctor who was working in the region.
He is reportedly improving at a hospital in Germany, where he is receiving treatments designed to improve Ebola outcomes.
Rubio also said Thursday that the U.S. has offered to fund up to 50 pop-up clinics to help combat the spread of the outbreak.
At this time, health officials say there are no suspected, probable or confirmed Ebola cases reported in the United States.
Health officials also say the domestic risk remains low.
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