JFK joins growing list of US airports to screen passengers for Ebola

• • JFK airport is implementing Ebola screening for travelers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.


• • The Bundibugyo virus outbreak has caused over 1,500 deaths and thousands of cases in the DRC.


• • Screening includes temperature checks and symptom questionnaires to prevent domestic importation.

Context
The 2026 outbreak in the DRC is the 17th such event since 1976 and has spread across six provinces. There is currently no approved vaccine or treatment for this specific strain.

Christian Perspective
Protecting the lives of our citizens is a fundamental duty of a sovereign nation. While we must have compassion for the suffering in Africa, our primary biblical mandate is to guard the sanctity of our own borders and the health of our people. We recognize that disease often follows the movement of people from unstable regions.