Syndromic entry and exit screening for epidemic-prone diseases of travellers at ground crossings

Syndromic entry and exit screening for fever and/or respiratory, gastrointestinal or haemorrhagic fever symptoms, using one or more methods such as temperature check, observation and health declaration forms, with subsequent follow-up interventions including testing and other additional health measures, has been conducted at ground crossings over decades for some epidemic-prone diseases such as Ebola virus disease (EVD) and other viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and other respiratory infections, as well as plague. 

This document summarizes and evaluates available scientific evidence on the efficacy of syndromic entry and exit screening to prevent or limit the spread of epidemic-prone diseases at ground crossings and is intended as a call for research in this field. It is targeted at public health and ground crossing policy-makers, researchers and relevant stakeholders.