The Trump administration is keeping Americans exposed to Ebola in Africa out of the United States, routing anyone who tests positive to treatment facilities in Europe rather than bringing them back stateside. Senior officials announced the plan Thursday, drawing sharp criticism from public health experts who argue that specialized care units already exist within U.S. borders.
The government has established a 50-bed quarantine facility at Kenya's Laikipia Air Base to isolate Americans who have been exposed or potentially exposed to the virus. The camp became operational Friday. Medical officers stationed there will assess each person individually to determine whether and when they need transport to a treatment center.
Administration officials say routing sick patients to Europe is faster and ensures they receive prompt care without the delays inherent in returning them to America. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the administration's position clear earlier this week, telling a Cabinet meeting that the U.S. "cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department are still identifying the specific European facilities that will accept American patients. Officials have not clarified whether sick Americans will eventually be allowed to return home for recovery.
Kenya's government has approved the quarantine arrangement. The facility includes biocontainment and isolation units for anyone who tests positive or develops symptoms before being transported elsewhere.
More than 30 members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps are en route to Kenya. All have completed specialized training in protective equipment, quarantine procedures, and care for Ebola patients.
The outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is approaching 1,000 suspected cases. The World Health Organization has reported that conditions in the epicenter are hampering contact tracing and containment efforts. Officials said they are not currently aware of anyone being taken to the Kenya base immediately, though the camp is now ready to receive patients if needed.
Author James Rodriguez: "Keeping Americans out of America during a health emergency is a dramatic shift in how the government handles its own citizens, and the pushback from medical professionals is warranted."
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