Rep. Maxine Waters will meet today with officials from Los Angeles International Airport, the city and the county Department of
Public Health to discuss Ebola screening and emergency-response protocols at the airport.
Waters, D-Los Angeles, requested the meeting last week, saying there is “growing concern in the community about the threat that Ebola poses to public health.”
In a letter sent last week to Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey, Waters wrote that she wanted to ensure the public understands that procedures are “being followed at LAX to protect passengers, employees and the community.”
LAX Public Relations Manager Nancy Suey Castles told City News Service last week that airport officials looked forward to discussing Ebola-related issues with Waters.
Federal authorities implemented stepped-up screening of incoming passengers from West Africa at five U.S. airports considered gateways for travelers from the area — O’Hare in Chicago, Kennedy in New York, Dallas International, Hartsfied Jackson in Atlanta and Newark Liberty international. Authorities are also tracking the movements of passengers who may take
connecting flights and travel to other destinations.
Los Angeles County health officials said last week they have been notified about several people who have recently returned to the Southland following trips to Ebola-affected areas. Those people are being monitored by health officials.
Health officials stress, however, that there are no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola in California.
