Now that a case of Ebola has been confirmed inside the U.S., the Coast Guard has issued new guidelines to help prevent the spread of the disease.
According to the Associated Press, these new processes will target ships that have been in and around the West African countries where the contagious illness has been spreading rapidly. Passengers on-board ships returning to U.S. ports will have to show proof that they do not have any symptoms associated with Ebola. The source noted that this system is currently being put in place for ships in the Connecticut and New York areas, and it is unclear whether it will become nationally mandated.
The first case of Ebola in the U.S. was confirmed on Sept. 30 after a man traveled from his native Liberia to Dallas, Texas, and began showing symptoms five days later, reported ABC News. Currently, there is no travel ban in effect, although people attempting to enter the U.S. from affected regions must fill out questionnaires regarding their potential exposure to the disease. If a passenger attempts to board a plane while exhibiting symptoms typical of Ebola, authorities will be notified and the patient will be quarantined, noted The Wall Street Journal.