5 Things You Need to Know About Ebola & Air Travel

With recent news of Ebola hitting the United States, there has been a great deal of anxiety about the possibility of a major outbreak. From panic that can arise from a harmless sneeze at work or a gentle cough on a plane, if any epidemic is forming, it is definitely an epidemic of fear. With West Africa having taken the biggest outbreak of Ebola globally, the United States is taking serious precautions with air travel.

If you’re planning to take a flight soon, here are the 5 things you need to know about these precautions:

1. It was announced Tuesday that all U.S. bound travelers from three African countries that have high contagion must fly into one of five airports that require additional screening for the disease.

2. The five airports, New York’s JFK, Newark, Atlanta, Dulles, and Chicago, will include heightened screening measures.

3.  These airports have already started temperature checks to ensure passenger safety, as fever could be an indication of infection.

4.  Although a ban to travel between the United States and West African countries has been considered, this could only be permitted when the Center for Disease Control and Prevention affirms that they have fully contained the outbreak.

5. While other safeguards are in effect for those already infected in the United States, air travel precautions have become a top priority for the United States fight against Ebola.

The most important weapon against any disease is awareness! Know the facts, and have a great trip!