Unethical Ebola Quarantines May Encourage People to Lie About Travel to West Africa, Expert Says

"Who is going to want to go from the United States to help in West Africa knowing they are going to be in prison for three weeks when they get back?" asks Craig Klugman, professor and chair of Health Sciences, College of Science and Health. "Probably very few people," says Klugman, who is a bioethicist and medical anthropologist at DePaul University who researches death and dying.

Klugman is also concerned that strict, unethical quarantine procedures will inhibit transparency in screening of potential cases coming into the United States.

"We're encouraging people to lie. When you go through at the airport and they say, 'have you been to a region that has Ebola,' you're more likely to say 'no.' Because to say 'yes,' means you're going to be in prison for 21 days."

“Diseases do not recognize national or socioeconomic borders. The U.S. has an ethical obligation to assist in this epidemic that threatens the health and well-being of millions,” Klugman adds.

Source: DePaul University