Passengers arriving from Wuhan, China to three U.S. cities will be screened for a dangerous respiratory illness that has killed two patients and sickened at least 45 people abroad, The New York Times is reporting.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, passengers landing in New York’s JFK, San Francisco (SFO), and Los Angeles (LAX) airports will be screened for the deadly disease, Coronavirus.
The CDC described the virus as a “low risk” to U.S. citizens but the agency is conducting screenings as a precaution.
The screenings will include questioning arriving passengers about their symptoms and taking their temperatures. Those who have symptoms, including a fever for the disease will be moved for an in-depth-screenings.
Doctors with the CDC said during a news conference that this disease is similar to earlier outbreaks of SARS and MERS. A report from the New York Times said the disease originated in meat and fish markets near Wuhan and is contracted through contact with infected animals.
“This is a serious situation,” Dr. Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said at a news briefing. “We know it is crucial to be proactive and prepared.”
About 60,000 to 65,000 people a year travel to the United States from Wuhan. Over the next few weeks, some 5,000 passengers are likely to be checked for signs of the new infection, the New York Times is reporting.