CDC Plans to Monitor over 62,000 for Ebola via RoboCall

The CDC is discussing plans to monitor thousands of people for Ebola. In the Dec 2 Federal Register, the CDC notified the Office of Management and Budget that they plan to monitor over 62,000 people a year who are at risk for Ebola and have entered the US. The burden of reporting is so overwhelming, that the CDC is proposing using an IVR system (Interactive Voice Response) to track respondents. Those being monitored would likely call in to the system for their daily reporting. Perhaps the system would make an outbound call as well (just my little ol’ idea). Here’s the relevant part of the notice:

CDC is also requesting the incorporation of a telephonic, automated survey administered either through Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone system which asks travelers if they have developed a fever or any other symptoms potentially indicative of Ebola exposure (OMB Control No 0920-1034). This system is used to assist states in actively monitoring those travelers from Ebola affected countries for 21 days after arrival. The additional burden requested for the use of the IVR system is 91,350 hours.

The robocall system would be in English and in French.

Links: source information and more details, breaking Ebola alerts , breaking SHTF news.