The USA does not allow evacuees from Afghanistan into the country for the time being because of measles

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People evacuated from Afghanistan wait for an onward flight at the US Air Force Base Ramstein (archive photo)

Photo: Uwe Anspach / dpa

The US government has temporarily stopped evacuation flights to the US with Afghan people in need of protection because of several measles cases.

There were "four cases of measles" among Afghans who landed in the US, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on Friday.

The people concerned are in quarantine.

The CDC health authority recommended that the flights be suspended for the time being.

Among other things, the USA uses the US air force base Ramstein in Rhineland-Palatinate as one of several hubs for its evacuation mission from Afghanistan.

From there, the onward journey of the numerous people who were flown out by the US Army after the Taliban came to power is organized.

Psaki did not provide any further information on how long the provisional stop will last.

A vaccination against measles is a prerequisite for Afghans to travel to the United States, said Psaki.

They are now looking to see whether vaccinations can also be given at the bases outside the USA where the Afghans are housed.

kfr / dpa