Rep. Maxine Waters To Discuss LAX Ebola Screening, Emergency Response Protocols

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Rep. Maxine Waters met Tuesday with officials from Los Angeles International Airport and local health departments to discuss Ebola screening and emergency-response protocols at the airport.

Waters, D-Los Angeles, requested the meeting last week because of a "growing concern in the community about the threat that Ebola poses to public health."

In a letter sent last week to Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey, Waters wrote that she wanted to ensure the public understands the procedures are "being followed at LAX to protect passengers, employees and the community."

Federal authorities stepped-up screening of incoming passengers from West Africa at five U.S. airports considered gateways for travelers from the area – O'Hare in Chicago, Kennedy in New York, Dallas International, Hartsfield Jackson in Atlanta and Newark Liberty International. The movements of passengers who take connecting flights and travel to other destinations are also being tracked.

Los Angeles County health officials said last week they have been notified about several people who have recently returned to Southern California following trips to Ebola-affected areas. Those people are being monitored by health officials.

Health officials say there are no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola in California.

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