CDC Implements Screening Measures for LAX Incoming Flights from China Amid Novel Coronavirus Outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced that it will begin screening airline passengers arriving from central China at three major U.S. airports, including Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), in an effort to detect and prevent the spread of a novel coronavirus. The move is part of a broader global effort to contain the outbreak, which has already affected several countries in Asia.

The CDC said that the screenings will be implemented at LAX, as well as San Francisco International Airport and New York City's JFK International Airport, where roughly 5,000 passengers are expected to pass through in the next couple of weeks. Passengers from central China, including Wuhan, the city at the epicenter of the outbreak, will undergo temperature checks and be asked about their symptoms.

The novel coronavirus, which has been linked to an international outbreak that began in 2002 with SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), is believed to have originated from animals. However, officials have not ruled out the possibility of human-to-human transmission.

So far, more than 40 cases of the virus have been confirmed in Asia, including two deaths - one involving a previous medical condition. The CDC has deployed about 100 additional staff members to the three airports to supplement existing staff at quarantine stations.

Travelers are advised to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from the virus. 'We want to be prepared and are taking precautions,' said Dr. 'Name', a CDC official. 'The risk to the American public is deemed to be low, but we need to be vigilant.'

As the Lunar New Year approaches, travel between China and other countries has increased significantly, with many people taking trips to and from the country to celebrate the holiday. Thailand and Japan have both reported cases of the disease in individuals who had traveled from Wuhan.

The CDC's efforts are aimed at preventing the spread of the virus in the United States, where officials believe it is likely that more cases will arise. 'It's always possible a virus can mutate to become more dangerous,' said Dr. 'Name', another CDC official. 'We need to be prepared.'

For now, the risk to the American public remains low, but the CDC is taking precautions to ensure the health and safety of citizens. The agency is urging travelers to take necessary precautions, including washing their hands frequently, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and staying informed about travel advisories.

With the first direct flight from China expected to arrive at JFK on Friday night and another scheduled for Saturday morning in San Francisco, passengers can expect to undergo screening measures as part of the CDC's efforts to contain the outbreak. By implementing these measures, health officials hope to prevent the spread of the virus in the United States and ensure a safe and healthy travel experience for all.

Lax incoming flights from china