Ebola: United States introduces new screening guideline for travellers

The United States’ Center for Disease Control, CDC, on Wednesday introduced a new screening guideline for all travellers.

As a measure to curtail the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Diseases, EVD, in the US, hospitals now send a pre-screening form to patients, as well those visiting the U.S. for medical purposes.

The virus has spread in the US since its first outbreak in Texas.

Hospitals like Arizona-based Sierra Tucson now send “infectious screening” forms to intending in-patients.

A PREMIUM TIMES reporter who is scheduled to travel to the U.S. shortly was served the new form, Friday.

“The above is based on current CDC guidelines as of October 15, 2014,” the hospital said in the form.

Intending travellers, especially those for medical tourism are asked if they have travelled to Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Congo, and any other trip outside the U.S. in the last six months.

Travellers are required to also state if they have been to Ohio and Texas – the two US states currently battling with the virus.

If yes, the traveller would state, if he or she has been a patient or an employee of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital – where the first outbreak emanated from.

Travellers, who have been to any of the above countries or states, would also state if they have had any of these symptoms within the last 21 days: fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain and unexplained bruising or bleeding.

The new procedure is not meant to victimise travellers or scare them aware; it is geared towards curtailing the spread and eradication of the virus, the details say.