On October 6, CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) health advisory on a recently confirmed Outbreak of Ebola virus disease (Sudan ebolavirus) in central Uganda . The health advisory summarizes CDC’s recommendations for U.S. public health departments and clinicians, case identification and testing, and clinical laboratory biosafety considerations. While no suspected, probable, or confirmed EVD cases related to this outbreak have been reported in the United States, at 11:59 PM ET on Monday, October 10, the United States has begun directing travelers from Uganda to the United States through five U.S. airports. They include Chicago O’Hare International Airport; Dulles International Airport in Virginia; Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport; John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City; and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. Approximately 140 travelers arrive in the United States from Uganda each day; about 65% are U.S. citizens.
CDC held a call October 6 with representatives from national partner organizations and jurisdictional officials to brief them on the funnelling of travelers from Uganda to the five airports. Staff at CDC quarantine stations located at the five airports will conduct entry screening, including temperature checks, visual illness checks, and questions about potential exposures and symptoms. CDC will notify state health departments of travelers from Uganda whose final destinations are those jurisdictions. CDC plans to issue additional guidance to jurisdictions soon.