US adding travelers from Mali to enhanced Ebola screening list

U.S. officials starting Monday will subject travelers from Mali to enhanced screening for the Ebola virus.

{mosads}The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement that the action is being taken due to a number of confirmed Ebola cases in Mali in recent days and a “large number” of individuals who may have been exposed.

Travelers from the three-hardest hit nations — Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea — are already subject to the enhanced screening.

The CDC and DHS said there are no direct flights from Mali to the United States, although approximately 15 to 20 travelers a day begin travel in Mali and go through other countries on their way to the U.S. Most of those travelers are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, officials added.

In addition to the enhanced entry screening, all travelers entering the United States from Mali will be subject to 21-day monitoring and movement protocols.

The CDC and DHS said they would work with airlines to ensure re-routing for those travelers not already scheduled to land at the five U.S. airports — New York JFK, Newark, Washington-Dulles, Chicago-O’Hare and Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson — that are already screening passengers from affected West African nations.