The United States has introduced temporary entry restrictions affecting travelers from parts of Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, as health authorities move to contain potential risks linked to ongoing Ebola outbreaks in the region.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Thursday that foreign nationals who have been in the affected countries within 21 days prior to arrival will be subject to a temporary suspension of entry into the United States.
“CDC has issued instructions regarding the suspension of entry into the United States for foreign nationals who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days prior to arrival,” the agency said in a statement.
The restriction will remain in place for 30 days, after which US authorities will review the situation and decide whether to extend or lift the measure depending on the progression of the outbreak and risk assessment.
The policy is part of broader public health measures aimed at preventing the potential spread of Ebola across international borders, particularly as cases continue to be reported in affected regions of Central and East Africa.
While the entry suspension applies to most foreign nationals from the three countries, US citizens and lawful permanent residents—commonly referred to as green card holders—are still permitted to enter the country.
However, those exempt from the ban will be subject to enhanced health screening procedures upon arrival in the United States.
According to the US Department of Homeland Security, returning citizens and green card holders must be directed through Washington Dulles International Airport, where additional monitoring and screening measures are being implemented.
Green card holders are individuals who have been granted lawful permanent residency in the United States, allowing them to live and work in the country on a long-term basis.
The heightened restrictions come as global health authorities raise concerns over renewed Ebola outbreaks in parts of Africa.
Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitute a public health emergency, warning that the situation poses a potential threat to neighboring countries and international travel routes.
The WHO classification reflects growing concern over the possibility of cross-border transmission, particularly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure and high population mobility.
Ebola is a highly infectious and often fatal viral disease that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials.
Symptoms typically include fever, severe fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
Public health authorities have repeatedly emphasized the importance of rapid containment measures, including travel monitoring, contact tracing and isolation protocols, to prevent wider outbreaks.
According to the latest data released by Congolese authorities, at least 131 deaths have been recorded in the current outbreak.
Health officials in the region have been working with international partners to strengthen response efforts, including vaccination campaigns, medical treatment deployment and community surveillance systems.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has experienced multiple Ebola outbreaks in recent decades, making it one of the countries most frequently affected by the virus.
The most recent previous outbreak in the country officially ended in October 2025, after months of containment efforts involving both national health authorities and international organizations.
Uganda has also faced several Ebola outbreaks in the past, though health officials have emphasized improvements in detection and response capacity in recent years.
Despite these efforts, the resurgence of cases in multiple countries has renewed concerns about regional preparedness and the risk of further spread.
The US decision to introduce temporary entry restrictions reflects a precautionary approach aimed at minimizing the risk of importing cases during an active outbreak period.
Public health experts note that such measures are often implemented during disease outbreaks to allow time for assessment, containment and coordination with international health agencies.
At the same time, authorities stress that travel restrictions alone are not sufficient to stop viral transmission without strong domestic health systems and coordinated international response efforts.
The CDC is expected to continue monitoring developments in coordination with the World Health Organization and health ministries in affected countries.
Future decisions regarding the extension or lifting of the restrictions will depend on epidemiological data, case trends and the effectiveness of containment measures in the affected regions.
For now, the temporary policy underscores ongoing global concerns about infectious disease outbreaks and the continued vulnerability of international travel networks to emerging health threats.
