Airport Health Quizzes: CDC Invites Comments on Traveler Surveys
Published Date: 1/13/2026
Notice
Summary
The CDC wants your thoughts on a new traveler questionnaire that helps spot diseases at U.S. airports. This affects international travelers and aims to keep everyone safer without adding extra hassle. You’ve got until March 16, 2026, to share your ideas—no cost to you, just a quick comment!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Voluntary airport traveler questionnaire
If you are an arriving international traveler at select U.S. airports, you may be invited to volunteer, give written informed consent, complete a short anonymous questionnaire, and self-collect two lower nasal swabs. Participation is voluntary, costs you nothing, takes about 4 minutes per response, and CDC estimates up to 500,000 traveler respondents annually (total annual burden 33,333 hours).
Nasal swab testing and sequencing rules
Traveler swabs are pooled in batches of 5–10 and undergo RT-PCR testing for pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A virus, and RSV; if a pool tests positive, individually stored secondary swabs are tested and pathogen genomic sequencing may be performed. Some samples may be sent to CDC for further testing; the notice states explicitly that no human genetic testing will be performed.
Questionnaire revised to reduce burden
CDC revised the Traveler Questionnaire to ask fewer questions and updated wording to improve participant comprehension and response rates; the program has also broadened testing beyond SARS-CoV-2. The OMB control referenced is 0920-1406 with an expiration date of 2026-06-30.
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