As coronavirus spreads globally, DFW Airport is now checking passengers for symptoms
DFW Airport is now one of 20 airports where passengers are being screened for coronavirus.
“DFW Airport is one of 20 U.S. airports identified by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to monitor for illness and provide educational materials for any travelers arriving in the United States from China,” airport spokesman Bill Begley said in a statement. “A team of public health professionals from the CDC will execute the monitoring program as soon as their team is in place. DFW Airport Public Safety is trained and prepared to support the CDC and the Tarrant County Public Health Department if monitoring efforts require a coordinated response.”
The screening will include asking passengers on flights arriving from China to fill out informational cards asking questions about whether they have traveled to the area of Wuhan, where the disease was first identified, and whether they feel sick.
A non-touch thermometer may also be used to check passengers’ body temperatures for potential fever, CDC says.
DFW Airport is one of the world’s busiest airports, and in recent years the DFW administration has focused on expanding service to Asia and the Middle East. American Airlines, the dominant carrier at DFW, offers nonstop flights from DFW to Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and many other Asian destinations.
Last weekend, both Baylor and Texas A&M universities reported potential 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) cases, but both tests came back negative.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also on Tuesday issued updated guidance for travel to China, saying that passengers should avoid all nonessential travel there.
Other airports where the passenger screening is taking place include Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco
This story was originally published January 28, 2020 at 1:19 PM.
