The Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is working to slow the spread of Ebola in affected countries (as of today these include Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone) and prevent introduction of Ebola into the United States. They are working closely with EMS and other vital partners at U.S. international ports of entry to enhance awareness for detection of travelers with possible Ebola symptoms. This is an evolving situation and information may change quickly.

CDC requests assistance in sharing with EMS units at international ports of entry the CDC update, Response to Ebola: CDC Request for Assistance to EMS at U.S. Ports of Entry.

CDC requests EMS support to:

• Look for travelers arriving from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, who are sick with symptoms of Ebola: fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
• Contact 24/7 your CDC Quarantine Station of jurisdiction. Station staff will evaluate with EMS the travelers’ symptoms and possible exposures to Ebola.
• If CDC staff are not present at the port of entry, EMS assistance with this evaluation may be requested.
• CDC also requests assistance in providing information to ill travelers. CDC has created health information cards for ill travelers depending on the Quarantine Station staff’s assessment of the traveler’s symptoms and potential exposure risk.
• When EMS calls the CDC Quarantine Station, CDC will advise EMS staff whether to give an information card to the sick traveler, and provide the correct card.

Questions? Contact the CDC Quarantine Station in your jurisdiction.