CDC Shares Ebola Travel Guidance for Returning Travelers

At George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, international travelers returning from parts of Africa may face extra health questions if they have recently been in an Ebola-affected area. The CDC says Ebola travel guidance is in place to help returning travelers monitor symptoms, reduce exposure risks, and get medical care quickly if illness develops.

The federal guidance is aimed at people who have been in areas with Ebola activity and are now back in the United States. Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from the disease, or through contact with contaminated objects and infected animals. It does not spread through the air, water, or food in general settings, according to the CDC.

Ebola travel guidance outlines symptom checks after return

The CDC advises travelers returning from Ebola-affected areas to watch for symptoms during the 21 days after they leave the affected region. Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. Anyone who develops symptoms should separate from others and contact a healthcare provider right away before going in for care.

The agency also says travelers should follow any instructions from state or local public health officials. Public health agencies may ask returning travelers about where they went, whether they had contact with sick people, and whether they handled animals or visited healthcare settings. The CDC notes that risk levels can differ based on a traveler’s activities while abroad.

What returning travelers should do in the United States

People without symptoms are not considered contagious, but the CDC still urges caution after travel from affected areas. Returning travelers may be asked to monitor their temperature and health daily for 21 days. They should be ready to share their travel history with doctors, urgent care staff, or emergency personnel if they become sick during that period.

For Houston-area residents, the guidance matters because the city is a major international gateway with connections through IAH and a large healthcare network centered around the Texas Medical Center. Travelers who feel sick after returning from an Ebola-affected area should call ahead before visiting a clinic or hospital so staff can prepare appropriate infection-control steps.

The CDC continues to update its travel information as conditions change in affected countries, including current notices and public health recommendations for U.S. travelers. People planning international trips or returning home through Houston airports can review the latest CDC guidance online before departure and again after arrival.

This article is a summary of reporting by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read the full story here.