Ebola screenings set to begin at 4 more U.S. airports

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Four more U.S. airports will begin screening passengers for Ebola Thursday.

Customs and health officials at airports in Washington, Chicago, Newark and Atlanta will begin taking the temperatures of passengers from three west African countries. Screenings began last weekend at New York's JFK airport.

Although it's not happening at JIA, passengers have mixed emotions about Ebola screenings.

"Kind of on the back of my mind it really is and I don't like the idea of going but we committed to it several months ago," said Connie Garnett.

Garnett is traveling to a convention in Dallas and is feeling a little concerned. She's heading to the city where there have been three confirmed cases of Ebola, with one man dying from the virus last week. She is happy to hear that Ebola screenings are now taking place in 5 major U.S. airports.

"I think they never should have let it come in to this country to begin with I really do but hopefully that will help."

About 150 people travel daily to the U.S. from three west African countries where Ebola is most prevalent- Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Ninety-five percent of them land at one of those five airports. Now when passengers land they'll have their temperatures taken.

Bryan Pearson is a passenger who isn't concerned.

"Not particularly, I feel there's a lot between me and the actual threat so I don't feel too concerned its on my mind kind of out there I don't feel too worried."

Bruce Ryals sent off a friend to Wisconsin at JIA on Thursday, but he said he won't set foot in the airport without a mask on because he has leukemia and can't risk the possibility of exposure to Ebola.

"The way we travel over here, in 30-45 minutes you're in a different state," Ryals said. "It's not like over in Africa where it's at. It takes them weeks or months to get around. Over here we're too open and it really does concern me."

Ryals said he's extremely susceptible to germs.

"Just not long ago I got a simple infection on my knee, and it about put me in the hospital," he said. "So I have to be real careful."

Ryals encourages anyone possibly exposed to the deadly virus to consult a physician.

"Don't take a chance. Just go in and get yourself checked," he said.

The Ebola virus has killed thousands and officials hope these screenings will stop the spread of the disease especially here in the U.S. Temperatures of passengers will be taken by no touch thermometers to try and find passengers with fevers.