Virgin Atlantic customers travelling to the United States will be subject to compulsory health screenings. The airline announced that travellers entering the US will now have to take part in the ‘mandatory’ checks.
Any tourists flying to three airports in America who have been to Rwanda in the past 21 days will be affected. It comes following outbreaks of the deadly Marburg Virus in Rwanda.
Passengers who must under go the health screening will be ‘rerouted’ through the airport once they have landed. Virgin said: “The US Government has announced that they will begin health screening travellers arriving into the United States who have been to Rwanda in the last 21 days, effective from October 16, 2024.
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“This is due to recent reports of Marburg Virus from the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Rwanda. These health screenings are a precautionary measure and will take place in Washington Dulles (IAD) Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and New York (JFK) only.
“This means any customer who has been to Rwanda in the last 21 days will be rerouted through one of these airports to facilitate these mandatory screenings. If you have booked directly with Virgin Atlantic and have been to Rwanda in the last 21 days, please contact us to discuss your options.
“If you have booked through a Travel Agent or a Third Party, please speak with them directly.” According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Marburg Virus is a severe illness which is often fatal.
The virus is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and transmitted through contact with infected people. There are currently no approved vaccines or antiviral treatments for it, the WHO said.
Symptoms are said to abruptly start with a high fever, severe headache and a general feeling of discomfort. People with the virus often have muscle aches and pains, while severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cramping, nausea and vomiting are also symptoms.
Some also get a non-itchy rash and bleeding from the nose and gums. The WHO said: “In fatal cases, death occurs most often between 8 and 9 days after symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.”
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