(The Sun) – Fears of a possible Ebola “outbreak” in Washington state are growing as 23 people who recently traveled from West Africa are being monitored. The individuals had just returned from areas of Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo which is currently experiencing outbreaks of Ebola virus disease.

The Department of Health said on Thursday in a news release that officials believe the individuals are at low risk. Local public health officials in Washington have been in contact with the 23 people, who are considered “persons under monitoring” for 21 days after arriving in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has issued an order requiring airlines to collect and provide CDC with contact information for passengers who were in Guinea or the Democratic Republic of Congo within 21 days of arriving in the United States.

Once those travelers arrive, public health officials are notified and conduct health monitoring and another public health follow-up. The risk of getting Ebola in the United States is very low, according to the Department of Health.

It’s a rare and deadly disease in people and nonhuman primates that can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal or person. The news comes just days after scientists said that the world’s latest Ebola virus outbreak may have been caused by a person who was infected over seven years ago. READ MORE