Military Orders Quarantine for Troops Returning from Ebola Zones

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Wednesday morning that the U.S. military would begin quarantining troops returning from ebola zones for the virus’ twenty-one day incubation period.

Over 1,000 troops of 3,000 proposed by the administration are currently assisting with the medical response in west Africa, though the troops are not expected to have direct contact with ebola patients.

The Defense Department’s move runs counter to that recommended for returning health care workers. The CDC recommends a voluntary quarantine for returning health care workers, fearing that mandatory isolation will discourage much-needed medical workers from going to Africa. However, no such incentive matrix exists for the military.

Rumors that the Pentagon has ordered Andrew Cuomo’s book in bulk to keep the troops busy during quarantine went unconfirmed at press time.

[h/t Associated Press]

[Image via imagemaker / Shutterstock.com]

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