Travel Trends Show Need For CDC Ebola Screenings At Airports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new trend in travel is showing that the Centers for Disease Control's initiative to screen passengers at five international airports is a positive measure.

The number of clients that Passport Health sees going to West Africa has dropped 67% for the month of September, and this statistic has been in overall decline for most of the third-quarter.  The two countries impacted most are Guinea and Liberia, to which travel has declined 66.5% and 44%, respectively, over the last two months.  In other words, far fewer US residents are making a trip to West Africa, in light of the health situation there.

"We feel the CDC is taking the necessary precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of Ebola," says Melanie Kohr, Vice-President of Clinic Operations for Passport Health.  "With travel to and from Africa on the decline for Western tourists, these testing measures will be very helpful in identifying anyone with the disease while not stalling air travel to the region or causing delays that could hurt domestic air travel.  It's about striking a balance, and the CDC seems to be doing it well."

The CDC plans to test the temperature of everyone coming into the five airports that have been shown to service almost 95% of travelers from West Africa in hopes that they will be able to identify anyone already showing symptoms of the virus before it is able to spread and potentially infect people in the United States.

The five airports instituting screenings are:  JFK in New York and New Jersey's Newark, Chicago's O'Hare, Washington Dulles and Atlanta's Hartsfield airports.

While Passport Health will not be involved in the screening process, the company was a first responder to the 2001 Anthrax attacks and has participated in numerous vaccine trails and public health initiatives, including FluFree.com which helps educate users about the flu and bolster immunization rates.

Ebola is a highly dangerous virus that can produce symptoms anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure.  It causes fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and it can lead to death.  The first case of the virus in the United States was documented in Dallas, TX, just a few weeks ago.  No other cases have been confirmed.  This outbreak of the virus originated in the jungles of Western Africa, and has the current outbreak has infected more than 7,500 people and killed nearly half of them.

About Passport Health:
Passport Health is the largest and leading provider of travel medicine and vaccination services in the North America.  With over 230 clinic locations, 20+ years of experience, a commitment to first class medical care, and rigorously trained medical staff, Passport Health sets the immunization industry standard.  Passport Health's core services have grown from travel medicine to include on-site flu clinics, specialty physical exams, routine immunizations, and vaccination records management solutions for public and private sector clients of all sizes.

CONTACT:
Kara Anderson
Director of Community Development
(480) 646-9031 (direct)
[email protected]

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SOURCE Passport Health