Local preparations under way in case of Ebola spread

SEATTLE -- In an effort to curb the spread of Ebola, U.S. officials said they will begin temperature screenings of passengers arriving from West Africa at five U.S. airports -- in New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Chicago.

Sea-Tac International is not on that list, but local health officials said they are prepared in case the virus makes its way to the region.

Seattle's Harborview Medical Center  is one of five hospitals across the country that is capable and willing to take in and treat Ebola patients. And the Washington State Department of Health said they can get access to experimental drugs to treat Ebola in a matter of hours, if need be.



The five airports designated for temperature screening of passengers are Kennedy International in New York, Washington Dulles International outside D.C., Chicago’s O’Hare International, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International, and Newark Liberty International in New Jersey.