WASHINGTON — Flight attendants have strong suggestions to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus.
The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) says new, stronger measures must be implemented in Ebola virus hotspots to keep anyone with likely symptoms grounded.
The union representing nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants at 19 airlines believes airlines and health officials are relying too heavily on voluntary questionnaires.
AFA says in a news release that options are limited once someone infected with the Ebola virus is on a plane – flight crews don’t have the medical training or personal protective equipment required for handling an Ebola patient.
AFA says it will continue to meet with airline and government officials to help identify more vigorous screening methods.
President Barack Obama said earlier this week that the government will increase Ebola virus screening at U.S. and West Africa airports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still is working to establish those new protocols.
A man diagnosed with the first U.S. case of Ebola flew through Washington Dulles International Airport on his way to Texas.
Thomas Eric Duncan left Monrovia, Liberia, on Sept. 19 aboard a Brussels Airlines jet to the Belgian capital. After layover of nearly seven hours, he boarded United Airlines Flight 951 to Dulles. After another layover of nearly three hours, he then flew Flight 822 from Dulles to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the airline confirmed.
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