Gainesville Regional Airport receives flights from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — one of five airports that screens travelers from Ebola-affected countries.
The Gainesville airport is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for handling the threat of Ebola, wrote Laura Aguiar, the airport’s public relations and governmental affairs manager, in an email.
According to the CDC, airlines can deny passengers with “serious contagious diseases” that could easily spread on board.
Kishor Rico, 28, frequently travels to play his Hare Krishna music. Rico said he is not concerned about the possibility of contracting Ebola on his trips.
“They say that it can be transferred through blood, through saliva, and you can get it by eating bush meat,” Rico said. “I’m not too scared.”
Airlines are required to recognize symptoms, isolate ill travelers, notify someone who can respond and give support, according to the CDC.
Airline employees are also advised by the CDC to treat all bodily fluids as infectious.
Cleaning crews are expected to use eye protection, waterproof gloves, surgical masks and closed-toe shoes with covers.
Passengers receive an ill traveler card if they might have been exposed to someone with Ebola and are exhibiting symptoms. The card includes a list of what the traveler can expect during the required evaluation after the flight.
Harry Naegele, 60, waited to depart from the airport Wednesday after visiting for UF Homecoming. Naegele said he and and his wife, Kathy, are taking extra precautions to stay healthy.
“I have a lot of medical issues myself, so I’m very careful,” Naegele said. “We wash our hands more and hope for the best.”
[A version of this story ran on page 8 on 10/24/2014]
