CDC seeks airport volunteers for Ebola screenings as DRC outbreak grows

Rosa Martinez wasn’t thinking about Ebola when she booked her flight to visit family in Ghana next month. She was thinking about the fufu her aunt makes, and whether her kids would sleep on the plane. Now, with the CDC asking staff to volunteer for airport screenings tied to an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she’s wondering what that means for her family’s trip.

Here’s what’s happening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing for possible cases of Ebola arriving in the United States. There’s an outbreak in the DRC, and while the risk to Americans remains low, the agency isn’t taking chances. It has asked its own employees to volunteer for screening duties at major U.S. airports. Those volunteers would help check arriving passengers for fever, ask about travel history, and look for other symptoms.

The request, first reported by ABC News, comes as the DRC outbreak has spread to more than a dozen cases—including one death. The World Health Organization has not declared a global emergency, but the CDC is moving early. It’s a playbook they’ve used before: during the 2014 West Africa outbreak, and again during COVID-19.

How screenings work

If you arrive in the U.S. from or through a country with known Ebola cases, you might be stopped before you even hit the baggage claim. A public health officer checks your temperature, asks where you’ve been, and watches for visible signs of illness. If anything flags, you’re pulled aside for a more detailed interview. It’s not a quarantine—not yet—but it’s a door that can lead to one.

For Hudson County residents, this matters because Newark Liberty International Airport is one of the ports of entry likely to see enhanced screenings. Many of us fly out of Newark. Many of us have family who come through it. And in a county where people are constantly moving—between Manhattan, the airport, and home—the ripple effects of a public health measure can show up in surprising ways.

Why now

Ebola is not new. It’s been simmering in parts of Africa for decades. But this outbreak is different. It’s in a region with active conflict, meaning health workers can’t always reach affected communities. There’s a vaccine, but it’s not widely available in the U.S. So the CDC is leaning on what it can control: catching cases at the border.

The agency hasn’t said exactly how many volunteers it needs, or how long they’ll be stationed at airports. But the ask itself suggests a level of preparation that goes beyond routine. It says: we’re watching this closely, and we want to be ready.

What it means for you

If you’re flying internationally in the coming weeks, you’re not likely to see a change—unless your trip includes a layover in a country with active Ebola transmission. Right now, that’s primarily the DRC and a few neighboring nations. The CDC and U.S. Customs screen passengers from these areas. But if the outbreak spreads, the list could grow.

For most of us, the biggest impact might be more questions at passport control, or a longer wait for incoming relatives. There’s no reason to cancel plans. But it’s worth keeping an eye on CDC travel notices, which they update regularly online.

What officials say

A CDC spokesperson described the volunteer request as a routine preparedness step. “We are urging all staff to consider volunteering for this critical mission,” the spokesperson said, adding that the agency remains in close contact with international health partners. The White House has not yet issued a public statement on the matter.

Some public health experts have questioned whether voluntary staffing is enough. “Airport screenings are a useful tool, but they’re not a silver bullet,” said Dr. Lena Okafor, who studies disease surveillance at Rutgers. She warned that fever-based checks can miss cases where the person isn’t yet showing symptoms, a weakness the CDC acknowledges.

What’s next

CDC volunteers are expected to begin airport duty within the next two weeks. Travelers flying into Newark from affected regions may start seeing health advisory signs in the customs hall. Residents with upcoming international travel can check the CDC’s travel health notices page for updates. If you have a layover in a high-risk area, consider carrying a digital copy of your vaccination records—just in case.

Rosa Martinez says she’ll still go to Ghana. “I’ll pack hand sanitizer,” she said with a laugh. “And maybe a mask. But mostly, I’ll keep my eyes open.” That’s probably the best advice for all of us.