China map vector, isolated on white background. Black map template, flat earth. Simplified, generalized world map with round corners.


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection has implemented enhanced health screenings to detect ill travelers traveling to the United States on direct or connecting flights from Wuhan, China. The activity is in response to an outbreak in China caused by a novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV), with exported cases to Thailand and Japan.

Screenings began Friday at three major airports: San Francisco International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport. The CDC deployed about 100 additional staff members to the three airports to help existing staff.

The risk from 2019-nCoV to the American public was deemed to be low as of Friday. Nevertheless, the CDC says precautions are necessary.

Entry screening is part of a layered approach used with other public health measures already in place to detect arriving travelers who are sick to slow and reduce the spread of any disease into the United States.

A Monday update from the CDC says that investigations into the outbreak are ongoing and that the situation is rapidly evolving. To keep track of the CDC’s latest updates on the situation, click here.