Ebola: U.S. suspends entry for travelers from three African countries

The United States has announced a temporary 30-day entry restriction for certain foreign nationals who recently travelled through the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Uganda, and South Sudan following renewed Ebola concerns in parts of Central Africa.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the restriction applies to foreign nationals who have been physically present in any of the three countries within the last 21 days, regardless of their citizenship or country of origin.

The move comes as global health authorities intensify containment efforts around the latest Ebola outbreak linked to the rare Bundibugyo virus strain, which has triggered growing concerns over cross-border transmission risks.

U.S. authorities said the temporary restriction was introduced under federal public health laws that allow the government to suspend entry into the country when infectious disease outbreaks pose a significant threat to national public health.

The CDC noted that the restrictions will initially remain in place for 30 days while health officials continue to monitor developments across affected regions.

Despite the suspension, several categories of travellers remain exempt from the order, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, members of the U.S. military, and certain government personnel stationed overseas.

The Department of Homeland Security and CDC also retain authority to grant case-by-case exemptions for humanitarian, public health, law enforcement, or national security purposes.

The latest measures follow the declaration by the World Health Organization of the ongoing Ebola outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The WHO warned that there is currently no approved vaccine or targeted treatment for the Bundibugyo Ebola strain, which is now spreading across parts of Central Africa.

The outbreak was initially confirmed in Ituri Province in DR Congo before infections reportedly spread into Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, after infected individuals crossed borders from Congo.

Health experts say the Bundibugyo strain presents additional challenges because most existing Ebola vaccines were developed against the Zaire strain, which was responsible for earlier outbreaks in West Africa.

Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and contaminated surfaces. Symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, vomiting, internal bleeding, and organ complications.

The latest U.S. restrictions reflect a broader trend among governments tightening border surveillance and public health controls as global mobility increases following several years of post-pandemic recovery in international travel.

Nairametrics earlier reported that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said Nigeria has not recorded any confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease despite heightened monitoring linked to the outbreak in Central Africa.

In a statement signed by NCDC Director-General Jide Idris on May 17, the agency said surveillance systems across entry points and health facilities remain active as authorities continue to coordinate preventive measures aimed at reducing cross-border transmission risks.

The development comes at a time when African governments and global health agencies are increasingly prioritising outbreak preparedness amid rising concerns over the economic and public health impact of infectious disease disruptions on travel, trade, and regional mobility.

Source: Nairametrics