NEW YORK, USA - The John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York City started screening passengers from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone as part of its preventive measures against the possible entry of Ebola through the airport.

These three West African countries are the worst-hit as far as Ebola outbreak is concerned. More than 4,000 people have now died n those countries due to the virus.

Like Us on Facebook

Passengers from these nations will be checked by airport border officers for any signs of illness especially involving high temperature. Passengers will also be asked about their past travels before they arrived in US. They will be questioned as well if they have been in contact with a person who has Ebola.

If a passenger has a YES answer to any of the questions, the passenger will be subjected for a health assessment by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also, a passenger with a running fever will be automatically subjected to the health assessment.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, however, clarified that this new preventive and security measure should not be a cause of panic among people in New York.

"There is no cause for alarm. Physicians, hospitals, emergency personnel are trained on how to identify the disease and how to quickly isolate anyone who may be afflicted," the mayor said.

Meanwhile, Ebola checks will also be observed in the airports of Chicago, Newark, Washington and Atlanta in the coming days.

This airport security check for Ebola carriers was prompted by the case of Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan who died two days ago due to Ebola. He acquired the disease from Liberia. It was only when he reached Dallas that he was diagnosed as positive.

Aside from US airports, British airports have also made preparations to start screening passengers for Ebola.

TagsJFK International Airport, thomas duncan