Monterey County prepares as state issues risk-based Ebola quarantine

California is taking steps to quarantine those traveling from Ebola-affected countries. Local county public health officials are in charge of monitoring those who may have been exposed. But California health officials are taking a different approach compared to other quarantine efforts happening in some states.

California is now under risk-based quarantine procedures to treat potential patients fairly and consistently. This comes after governors in several states, including New York and New Jersey, imposed mandatory quarantine guidelines. Now all counties are following a risk-based quarantine order with specific guidelines. Monterey County Director of Public Health Edward Moreno said the Centers for Disease Control is actively keeping track of those who return to the U.S. from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

“That information is then passed on to the California Department of Public Health and quarantine stations here in California and that information is then transferred to the local health officer,” Moreno said.

Moreno said he’s not been made aware of anyone traveling back to Monterey County from any of the affected countries. But if the county gets word of a person traveling back to Monterey County from an Ebola-affected area, that person will go through several layers of screening.

“Requires that we when they arrive that we interview them and assess their risk level. Based on their risk level — and that is based on the risk of actually coming down with Ebola — we will determine what kind of restrictions, if any, we need to place on that individual,” Moreno said.

A special screening document will now be used. Moreno said this approach allows the state to protect the public from Ebola, while respecting travelers’ privacy.

“Restrictions could include not traveling on public transit. It could include staying home and calling the Health Department before going outdoors,” Moreno said.

So far no cases of Ebola have been reported or confirmed in California.