US Ebola Quarantine Policy May Deter Volunteers, Critics Warn
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- The White House reportedly opposed evacuating an American doctor sickened with Ebola and six others with virus exposure back to the US, with officials announcing Wednesday the patients are being moved to Germany and the Czech Republic instead, citing the 'most expeditious' options in a fast-changing situation.
- Passengers from the MV Hondius exposed to Andes hantavirus are being required to quarantine at a Nebraska biocontainment facility until May 31, the end of their 21-day monitoring period, even as asymptomatic passengers who tested negative have requested permission to quarantine at home in Florida and New York.
- Alexandra Phelan, a Johns Hopkins associate professor, said US citizens and green card holders have a legal right to return to the United States, and noted the Monday travel restriction order 'is clear that it doesn't apply to US citizens' — while arguing home quarantine is the 'least restrictive option' in public health law.
- Jay Bhattacharya, performing some duties of CDC director until the nominee is confirmed, made the Nebraska quarantine decision, according to the CDC's David Fitter; Bhattacharya previously rose to prominence opposing Covid-era public health measures he termed 'lockdowns.'
- Craig Spencer, a doctor who contracted Ebola volunteering in Guinea in 2014 and was attacked online by Trump at the time, warned that blocking return would mean fewer volunteers, a continuing epidemic, and 'a pure disaster' of less-controlled outbreaks with increased risks to everyone.
- Trump during the 2014-15 outbreak posted frequent social media calls to turn away Americans exposed to Ebola, saying volunteers 'must suffer the consequences' — a stance the current US policy of refusing to bring exposed citizens home mirrors, according to the source.
- The US has invested millions in world-class biocontainment facilities built 'for exactly this situation,' according to Phelan, yet is bypassing them for facilities in Czechia, a country not known for treating viral hemorrhagic fevers but which has an existing relationship with the State Department.
Why it matters: If Americans exposed to deadly viruses abroad cannot reliably return home or are forced into facility quarantine when safe home quarantine is feasible, the pool of doctors and nurses willing to volunteer in future outbreaks shrinks — and Phelan warns 'the need for international support is going to be quite significant' as the outbreak grows.
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