As summer travel picks up, federal health officials are advising travelers to stay informed about a growing Ebola outbreak in parts of East and Central Africa that has prompted new U.S. entry restrictions.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced May 18 that the U.S. government is implementing enhanced health screening and temporary entry restrictions tied to Ebola outbreaks in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with South Sudan also included because of regional risk concerns.
Under the CDC order, non-U.S. passport holders who have been in Uganda, DRC or South Sudan within the previous 21 days may be denied entry into the United States for at least 30 days while health officials monitor the outbreak. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and certain exempt travelers are not covered by the restriction, though they may still face enhanced screening and monitoring upon arrival.
The CDC said travelers arriving from affected areas may undergo health screening, symptom checks and additional monitoring at ports of entry.
Health officials currently assess the immediate risk to the general U.S. public as low. However, the outbreak has drawn international concern after the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency of international concern.
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or specific treatment yet available.
Ebola spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials. Symptoms can include fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and unexplained bleeding. Health officials advise anyone who recently traveled to affected areas to monitor their health for 21 days and seek medical care immediately if symptoms develop.
Some congressional Democrats have also raised concerns that reductions in U.S. global health and foreign aid programs could hamper international Ebola response efforts. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said recent cuts to overseas health programs risk creating “a perfect storm” for faster disease spread.
Travelers planning trips to East or Central Africa are encouraged to monitor official CDC travel notices and airline advisories before departure. The CDC’s Ebola travel guidance can be found here.
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