European Union Health Ministers To Meet Soonest Over Ebola Screening

Health ministers from across the European Union (EU) are set to attend a meeting to discuss the possible screening of travelers from the Ebola-hit West African countries. "The idea is for member states to discuss screening upon arrival in the European Union," the European Commission’s health spokesman, Frederic Vincent, said on Monday. He added that the talks are expected "to coordinate the actions” of the 28-nation bloc’s member states against the spread of the epidemic, including new screening measures at airports upon arrival in the region. The meeting is reportedly planned to be convened on Thursday. The World Health Organization (WHO) has so far not recommended monitoring travelers from the affected countries, but those countries have taken screening procedures on departure at various airports. Britain is the only European nation so far to introduce screening measures that will begin at London's Heathrow Airport on Tuesday. The United States and Canada have also announced new screening procedures at major airports to check travelers for signs of the deadly disease.