Airlines Urge CDC to Delay New Ebola Screening Rule for US-Bound Travelers

Major US and international airline groups are pressing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to delay a new travel requirement aimed at preventing the spread of Ebola into the United States. The rule, set to take effect on November 3, mandates that all passengers on international flights to the US must confirm they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) within the preceding 21 days.

This requirement applies to all individuals flying into or connecting through the US, including U.S. citizens, green card holders, and airline crew members. Travelers will need to complete a paper or digital attestation form before boarding, even if they have never visited the DRC. Airlines are then responsible for collecting and retaining these forms for at least 42 days after the flight's arrival in the US.

Airlines for America (A4A), representing carriers such as American, Delta, Southwest, United, and JetBlue, has formally requested a reconsideration of the rule and an extension of the implementation timeline. In a letter dated October 26, the industry group expressed support for the CDC's public health objectives but argued that the new requirement is overly broad and being introduced too rapidly.

A4A is advocating for a "more proportionate and measured US response" that would focus more closely on individuals who have recently traveled from affected regions. The organization highlighted the significant logistical challenges in updating check-in systems, implementing digital signatures, revising station procedures, and conducting necessary training within the given timeframe.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents over 370 airlines globally, has also called on the CDC to reconsider the mandate. IATA stated in a letter that it is unreasonable for the US government to expect all airlines serving the US market to modify their procedures for collecting attestations from every passenger and crew member within a two-week period.

Furthermore, A4A is seeking exemptions for airline crew members, pointing out that existing aviation documentation already contains relevant travel and health information for crews. The group has also requested an exemption for US military passenger charters, noting that the military already maintains records of its service members' health, safety, and locations.

The CDC stated that the new screening measure is designed to mitigate the risk of Ebola entering the United States via air travel. The 21-day period corresponds to the maximum incubation period for the virus, during which symptoms may appear after exposure.

Individuals who have been in the DRC within the 21-day window, including those who merely transited through an airport there, will be barred from boarding a US-bound flight unless they possess a specific government exemption. Passengers found to have provided false information on their attestations could face legal prosecution and fines.

Dr. Tyler Evans, an infectious disease physician and CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance, described the CDC's move as a step in the right direction, emphasizing the need to take the threat seriously and prevent cross-border transmission. He noted that the current Ebola outbreak is the second-largest in history, underscoring its severity. Dr. Evans also highlighted that Ebola has one of the highest fatality rates among infectious diseases, and that microbes do not respect national borders.