Ebola outbreak: Aircraft cleaners at New York’s LaGuardia Airport walk out over virus fear

The cleaners walked out of New York's LaGuardia Airport amid fears that they have too little protection from ebola (Getty Images)

Two hundred aircraft cleaners walked out at New York's LaGuardia Airport amid fears that they have too little protection from exposure to Ebola.

Among the duties of the workers are cleaning up garbage, vomit and faeces from bathrooms and other areas of passenger aircraft.

The walkout took place as the US authorities prepare to start screening at five major airports and was organised by the 32BJ Service Employees International Union as part of a long-standing campaign to win better working conditions.

The cleaners involved in the walkout are not responsible for international flights but are concerned that passengers from areas with outbreaks can transfer to domestic flights.

At New York's John F. Kennedy airport, aircraft cleaner Sharekul Islam said his job frequently exposes him to the body fluids and waste that can transmit the disease. “We are always with feces and near garbage,” he said.

Rob Hill, vice president of 32BJ, said: “The issues happened way before Ebola, but it's now come to a head.”

The airport authority said it would review concerns while Air Serv said in a statement: “We continually review our policies and procedures for updates and enhancements, and communicate updates to employees, as necessary - for example, including an update on protocols for Ebola just last week.”

The Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever and is spread through direct contact with body fluids from an infected person, who would suffer severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhea.

Sylvia Burwell, the US cabinet Secretary for Health, said the public is concerned about their safety during the Ebola scare because of the high mortality rate: “The nation is frightened, and people are frightened of this disease.”