Elizabeth Harrington documents disturbing news for the Washington Free Beacon about the federal government’s response to a significant health scare.
The Department of Homeland Security’s response to the Ebola epidemic in 2014 was inefficient and put the public at risk, according to a new audit by the agency’s inspector general.
Nearly 200 people who had recently traveled to Ebola-affected countries during the epidemic were not properly screened and were allowed into the United States without having their temperatures taken.
“Although the Department responded quickly to implement domestic Ebola screening with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), it did not ensure sufficient coordination, adequate training, and consistent screening of people arriving at U.S. ports of entry,” according to the audit, which was released this week.
“Coordination between DHS, HHS, and other DHS components was not sufficient to ensure all passengers received full screening,” the inspector general said. “Components did not ensure all personnel received adequate training on the screening process or the use of certain protective equipment. Component personnel also did not always follow established Ebola procedures and ensure all identified passengers completed required screening.”
“As a result, some passengers with potential risk of Ebola exposure may have entered the United States without having their temperatures taken or otherwise cleared by health professionals, and the DHS workforce performing the response was not always appropriately protected,” the audit said.
