Ohio health department toughens protocols for those returning from nations with Ebola

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Health has strengthened its protocols for managing travelers returning from West African nations that have Ebola outbreaks.

The new protocols are stronger than those recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while still being respectful of travelers and informed by the latest medical considerations for risk and exposure, ODH officials said.

Returning travelers who had no exposure to a potentially infected person are to:

• Undergo daily health checks by a public health official for the 21 days of the Ebola incubation period.

• Record any trips outside their homes.

• Avoid public places.

• Remain within their health district unless they can make arrangements for public health officials in the district to which they are traveling to assume their daily monitoring.

• Remain within the United States.

The new guidelines are not expected to affect many residents — the state estimates that the number of travelers returning to Ohio from West Africa averages about two per day. About 30 people in five counties are being monitored now.

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