The definition of an epidemic is a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time. No one can truly predict these occurrences, so when they happen, what are we supposed to do?

Lately in the news, we have heard a lot about Ebola, the latest epidemic. It has been assumed by many that it would never actually reach the U.S, but as of Oct. 9, 2014, we have lost one American to this deadly virus.

Now, there are multiple other prospective victims in quarantine. These individuals never knew they were in the presence of others affected by the virus.

Ebola is an infectious and generally fatal disease marked by fever and severe internal bleeding, spread through contact with infected body fluids by a filovirus (Ebola virus), whose normal host species is unknown.

After the U.S. has lost one tragic life to this disease, we are taking action to try to prevent any more infected individuals into the U.S.

Travelers from West Africa arriving at five large airports in the U.S. and will have their temperature taken and face questions about their health in an effort to prevent the spread of Ebola.

“Ebola is really scary and I hope that our Health Care professionals can find a cure for it so we can help those who have been affected and prevent it from spreading,” senior Jordyn Bryant said.

According to USA Today, there will be screenings done by Customs and Border Protection that will begin Sat, Oct. 11 at New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport and next week at New Jersey’s Newark, Washington’s Dulles, Chicago’s O’Hare and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson.

Earlier today, there was an Ebola scare on a U.S. Airways flight leaving Philadelphia that prompted officials to meet the plane when it arrived in the Dominican Republic after a passenger reportedly said he had Ebola.

Passengers shot videos as the officials entered the plane and investigated.

This is new territory for everyone so taking extreme precautions might need to happen in the upcoming months to prevent more deaths.