Rwanda Flips The Script, Will Screen All Travelers From U.S. For Ebola

Nigeria health officials wait to screen passengers at the arrival hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, Monday, Aug. 4, 2014. Nigerian authorities on Monday confirmed a second case of Ebol... Nigeria health officials wait to screen passengers at the arrival hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria, Monday, Aug. 4, 2014. Nigerian authorities on Monday confirmed a second case of Ebola in Africa's most populous country, an alarming setback as officials across the region battle to stop the spread of a disease that has killed more than 700 people. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba) MORE LESS
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The east African nation of Rwanda is now screening all visitors who have traveled to the United States within 22 days of entry for Ebola, whether or not they show symptoms of the deadly virus.

The U.S. Embassy in Rwanda posted the following notice to its website on Tuesday:

On October 19, the Rwandan Ministry of Health introduced new Ebola Virus Disease screening requirements. Visitors who have been in the United States or Spain during the last 22 days are now required to report their medical condition—regardless of whether they are experiencing symptoms of Ebola—by telephone by dialing 114 between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. for the duration of their visit to Rwanda (if less than 21 days), or for the first 21 days of their visit to Rwanda. Rwandan authorities continue to deny entry to visitors who traveled to Guinea, Liberia, Senegal, or Sierra Leone within the past 22 days.

Rwanda has not been affected by the current Ebola outbreak, which is centered in West Africa. By contrast, there have been three confirmed cases of Ebola on U.S. soil.

That disparity didn’t stop two Rwandan students from missing their first day of class Monday at a New Jersey elementary school, after their parents agreed to hold them at home for a 21-day waiting period because their classmates’ parents were concerned about Ebola.

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