Lake Charles Regional Airport has been in contact with state officials since shortly after the first Ebola case in Dallas was discovered, said Heath Allen, airport executive director.

He said the state transportation department contacted airport officials to discuss their protocol for the arrival of a passenger experiencing Ebola symptoms. State health officials also have contacted the airport, Allen said.

“At this point, our efforts have focused on ensuring that all of our stakeholders are aware of the protocol,” he said. The airport is required to have plans for a number of emergencies, and they can be adapted to develop a response to Ebola, Allen said.

“For example, we are approaching our response much the same way that we would an aircraft arriving with hazardous material on board,” he said. “Much of the protocol for hazmat can be applied to an aircraft with an Ebola-systematic passenger.”

Allen said he has heard people talking about air travel concerns, but that Lake Charles Regional hasn’t seen a reduction in passengers.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that beginning today travelers from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone must undergo additional screening at U.S. ports of entry.

Passengers arriving from the Ebola-affected countries will be required to arrive at one of five international airports in the U.S. — New York JFK, Newark Liberty, Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Washington Dulles.

“I believe it is important to keep the risks here in Lake Charles in perspective, but also remain vigilant,” Allen said.

“The world is somewhat smaller than it used to be when you consider how easy it is to move from country to country through air travel.”