Virginia

Virginia, Maryland Officials Outline Ebola-Monitoring Plan

Health officials in Virginia and Maryland are now actively monitoring all travelers arriving in the state from the three West African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak.

Virginia's Secretary of Health and Human Resources and state Health Commissioner announced the enhanced precautions Monday.

Airport screeners at Dulles International Airport in Arlington, Virginia, are providing contact information for travelers from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Dulles is one of five airport that travelers from those three west African nations are required to travel through.

Those travelers are assessed for Ebola risks and are asked to sign an agreement to take their temperature at least twice a day. Low-risk travelers receive daily phone calls from health care workers, while those at higher risk receive personal visits and are told to stay home.

Health care workers returning from West Africa are required to restrict activity based on their risk level.

So far, 53 travelers have been identified for monitoring.

Maryland officials are taking similar precautions, requiring anyone considered to have high-risk exposure to the Ebola virus to stay home until it's confirmed they're Ebola-free.

People considered to have high-risk exposure are those who've had known, unprotected contact with bodily fluids from someone infected with Ebola. They also would be required to have daily contact with health officials.

People who have had protected exposure to bodily fluids containing Ebola would not be allowed to use public transportation or attend large gatherings.

There have been no cases of Ebola acquired in Maryland or Virginia. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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