HOUSTON \u2013 George Bush Intercontinental Airport has been designated as one of three U.S. entry points for travelers arriving from countries affected by an Ebola outbreak, as Houston prepares to host World Cup matches next month.<\/p>\n
Federal and local officials say the risk to the general public remains low.<\/p>\n
The designation, announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and federal partners, requires travelers who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days to undergo enhanced screening.<\/p>\n
Under the order, certain non-U.S. citizens who have recently been in those countries are temporarily barred from entering the United States, while U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents must enter through designated airports, including Houston.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough this challenge, I\u2019ve learned it is actually the federal government\u2019s responsibility \u2014 until they leave the airport \u2014 then it is our responsibility,\u201d Houston Mayor John Whitmire said.<\/p>\n
Passengers arriving at Bush Intercontinental are met by Customs and CDC officials and screened for symptoms, travel history, and possible exposure to the virus.<\/p>\n
Houston officials say the city was selected in part because of its public health infrastructure and experience responding to past infectious disease threats, including the 2014 Ebola outbreak.<\/p>\n
Dr. Theresa Tran, director of the Houston Health Department, said residents and visitors should feel comfortable continuing normal activities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it comes to the public health concern of travel to enjoy the games, we should all feel very, very comfortable with enjoying any activities we would this summer,\u201d Tran said.<\/p>\n
Health leaders emphasized that Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids \u2014 not through casual contact \u2014 and said the risk to residents remains low.<\/p>\n
When asked why Houstonians should feel confident in the city\u2019s preparedness, Houston City Councilmember Alejandra Salinas pointed to past federal response efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not the first time the United States has interacted with Ebola,\u201d Salinas said. \u201cUnder President Obama, there were extensive measures taken to ensure we would have the tools to respond, and now we have those tools in place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Travelers cleared through screening are still monitored for 21 days, and anyone showing symptoms may be referred for further medical evaluation.<\/p>\n
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