Flight Bans & Mandatory Health Checks: Inside the New U.S. Ebola Border Controls

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While travelling overseas usually involves ensuring passports, visas, and flight tickets are all in order, there is now another set of criteria that applies to people coming from certain parts of Central and East Africa. Given that the current situation with Ebola infection in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is far from being resolved and the neighbouring countries are under tight scrutiny, the USA has adopted a range of health measures related to passengers who have travelled from the above regions. According to the most recent guidelines issued by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), passengers who have visited the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan recently will be required to meet additional criteria, such as being screened on arrival and undergoing mandatory health monitoring. Although these steps are aimed at preventing cases of Ebola infection on US territory, officials assure the general public risk is very low.

New US Entry Measures Remain in Place

The CDC, working alongside the Department of Homeland Security, continues implementing temporary public health measures introduced during the 2026 Ebola outbreak.

Under the current policy, travellers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo face the strictest restrictions. Foreign nationals who have been in the DRC within the previous 21 days remain subject to temporary entry restrictions. US citizens and eligible travellers are permitted to return but are subject to enhanced public health procedures and screening requirements. The CDC also expanded some restrictions to include certain lawful permanent residents during the emergency response.

Enhanced Screening at Designated US Airports

Travellers arriving from Uganda or South Sudan, and eligible travellers returning from affected areas, are required to enter the United States through designated airports where enhanced public health screening is carried out.

The screening process includes health assessments, travel history reviews and guidance on monitoring for Ebola symptoms after arrival.

The CDC advises travellers to cooperate fully with screening officials and to follow any additional public health instructions issued at the airport.

Monitor Your Health for 21 Days

One of the most important requirements for returning travellers is continued health monitoring.

Anyone who has recently been in affected areas should monitor their health for 21 days after leaving the region.

Travellers are advised to check their temperature regularly and remain alert for symptoms including:

• Fever
• Severe headache
• Muscle pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Weakness
• Unexplained bleeding or bruising

Anyone who develops symptoms should avoid travelling, isolate themselves from others and immediately contact local public health authorities or healthcare providers before visiting a medical facility.

Situation in Uganda Has Improved

One significant development since the original travel measures were introduced is that Uganda officially declared the end of its latest Ebola outbreak on 28 July 2026 after completing the World Health Organization’s required 42-day monitoring period without recording additional cases.

Health officials credited rapid surveillance, contact tracing and public health interventions for containing the outbreak.

However, the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues experiencing a much larger outbreak, meaning international health authorities continue maintaining precautionary measures for regional travel.

Why the Restrictions Continue

Although Uganda’s outbreak has ended, health authorities continue exercising caution because of ongoing transmission in neighbouring parts of the DRC.

The CDC continues identifying all of the DRC and Kampala in Uganda as areas requiring additional traveller assessment under existing guidance.

Officials say these measures remain necessary because international travel can allow infectious diseases to spread rapidly if not identified early.

Advice for International Travellers

Travellers planning journeys involving the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan should carefully review entry requirements before departure.

Depending on travel history, passengers may experience:

• Enhanced health screening.
• Additional travel questioning.
• Arrival through designated US airports.
• Public health monitoring after arrival.

Those planning onward international travel should also verify whether destination countries have introduced their own temporary Ebola-related entry measures.

Several countries have implemented additional screening or temporary travel restrictions during the outbreak.

Nearby Airports

Travellers returning from affected regions commonly depart through:

Democratic Republic of the Congo

• N’djili International Airport (Kinshasa)

Uganda

• Entebbe International Airport

South Sudan

• Juba International Airport

Eligible travellers entering the United States may be redirected through designated airports conducting enhanced CDC screening.

Local Currency

• Democratic Republic of the Congo: Congolese Franc (CDF)
• Uganda: Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
• South Sudan: South Sudanese Pound (SSP)
• United States: US Dollar (USD)

Key Stats

• Health monitoring period: 21 days
• Uganda declared Ebola outbreak over: 28 July 2026
• WHO monitoring period completed: 42 days
• Enhanced screening applies to eligible travellers arriving from affected countries.
• Ongoing outbreak remains centred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Timeline and Events

• 18 May 2026: CDC introduces enhanced Ebola travel measures and temporary entry restrictions.
• 22 May 2026: Enhanced screening procedures begin for eligible travellers entering the United States.
• 28 July 2026: Uganda officially declares its Ebola outbreak over after completing the WHO’s 42-day observation period.
• August 2026: CDC continues monitoring the outbreak in the DRC while maintaining travel health measures.

FAQ

1. Can travellers from the DRC still enter the United States?
Entry restrictions remain in place for many travellers who have recently been in the DRC, while eligible US citizens and certain other travellers are subject to enhanced public health procedures.

2. Has Uganda’s Ebola outbreak ended?
Yes. Uganda officially declared the outbreak over on 28 July 2026, following the WHO-required 42-day monitoring period without new cases.

3. What should travellers do after returning?
Travellers should monitor their health for 21 days, check for symptoms and contact public health authorities immediately if symptoms develop.

Dates

• 18 May 2026
• 22 May 2026
• 28 July 2026
• 21-day monitoring period
• 42-day WHO observation period

Conclusion

The most recent travel restrictions due to Ebola have clearly shown that travel policies can change rapidly depending on the status of public health issues. While it is true that the most recent outbreak in Uganda has now been declared over, the current situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo requires further health screening and other travel measures for eligible travellers who will be coming to the United States. For those who plan to travel within the region, it is best to keep up to date with entry policies and health measures.