CDC Extends Ebola Entry Ban for DRC, Uganda and South Sudan
International visitors to the United States should be aware of a renewed entry restriction that took effect on 21 June 2026. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new 30-day order continuing the suspension of entry for certain foreign nationals connected to the ongoing Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in East and Central Africa.
Who Is Affected
The order bars most non-U.S. citizens — including lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) — who have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan at any point in the 21 days before their planned arrival in the United States. The restriction applies regardless of nationality; it is based on recent travel history, not citizenship.
U.S. citizens and nationals who have recently visited these countries are still permitted to return home but will be directed to one of four designated airports for enhanced public health entry screening: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH), or John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK). Affected air passengers will have their itineraries rerouted accordingly before departure.
Airlines operating flights from affected regions are required to notify the CDC before departure, and routing changes are coordinated in advance. Passengers should not expect to decide at the departure gate — the rebooking typically happens before the outbound flight departs.
Background on the Outbreak
The World Health Organization declared the BVD outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 17 May 2026, driven by a rapidly escalating outbreak centred in the DRC. The CDC’s original entry restriction was issued on 18 May 2026; the 21 June order renews and extends it for a further 30 days, keeping the measures in place until approximately 21 July 2026.
Bundibugyo virus disease is caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus, a strain of Ebola-family virus first identified in Uganda in 2007. The 2026 outbreak is centred in eastern DRC and border regions, where health system capacity is under severe strain. The PHEIC designation reflects the risk of international spread rather than confirmed cases elsewhere.
What to Expect at the Four Screening Airports
US citizens and lawful permanent residents returning from affected countries will undergo a structured health screening process at their designated arrival airport. This typically includes a health questionnaire, temperature check, and a review of recent travel itinerary. Individuals showing symptoms or with exposure history considered high-risk may be referred for further monitoring by local public health authorities.
If you are routed to one of the four designated airports for screening, allow extra time for your onward connection. Customs and Border Protection coordinates with CDC public health officers at these facilities, but the process can add 30–60 minutes to immigration processing time. US citizens should carry documentation of their travel itinerary for the past 21 days.
What This Means for Your Trip
If you are planning to visit the United States this summer and have no recent travel to DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan, the restriction does not affect you. Standard entry processing continues normally at all ports of entry.
If you have visited one of the three named countries in the past 21 days, you will not be admitted under the current order unless you are a U.S. citizen or national. Contact your airline immediately to discuss your options — most airlines are operating no-fee itinerary changes for affected passengers.
For a full overview of U.S. entry rules and documentation, see our USA visa and entry requirements guide. Travelers arranging flights should also consult our flights to the USA page. General health and safety information for visitors is available in our USA safety guide.
This situation is developing. The CDC reviews the order on a rolling 30-day basis and may extend or lift it depending on the outbreak trajectory. Monitor the CDC website for official updates before travel if you have any connection to the affected region.