Airlines seek delay of new U.S. health declaration as DRC Ebola deaths top 5,000
Airline groups are urging the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reconsider or delay a new health declaration requirement affecting passengers on U.S.-bound international flights. The requirement, described by travel and aviation outlets as applying to every passenger, is due to take effect Nov. 3 amid a major Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The DRC’s Ministry of Health reported Saturday that 5,026 people had died among 10,351 infections, a fatality rate of nearly 50%, according to the South China Morning Post. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, was declared in mid-May. About 80% of new cases are reportedly occurring outside monitored contact chains, and many patients have died without treatment.
Africa CDC also announced the death of Marie-France Shogogo, a doctor who contracted Ebola while responding to the outbreak. She died Oct. 28 at …