CDC Extends Ebola-Related U.S. Entry Restrictions for Some Travelers

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has extended temporary Ebola-related U.S. entry restrictions for certain travelers who were recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, keeping a focused layer of public-health screening in place for U.S.-bound travel while the outbreak in East and Central Africa continues.

The June 21, 2026 CDC order continues a suspension first issued in May and will remain in effect for 30 days. It does not apply to U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals, but those travelers may still be routed through designated U.S. airports for enhanced public-health screening if they were recently in one of the affected countries.

For the broader U.S. travel market, the key point is narrow but important: this is not a general warning against international travel, and CDC says the immediate risk to the U.S. public remains low. The practical effect is on travelers, families, employers, humanitarian groups, tour operators and airlines managing itineraries that touch DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days.

What changed on June 21

CDC says an order continuing the suspension of the right to introduce specified foreign nationals into the United States was issued on June 21. Under the current framework, certain non-U.S. citizens, including lawful permanent residents, who were in DRC, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days are temporarily prohibited from entering the United States unless they qualify for limited exceptions or an approved process.

The order follows earlier May actions by CDC, the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies that introduced enhanced arrival screening, entry restrictions and post-arrival monitoring. CDC has tied the measures to an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain for which there is no approved vaccine or strain-specific treatment.

World Health Organization reporting shows why U.S. authorities are keeping the travel measures active. As of mid-June, WHO reported 896 confirmed cases and 232 deaths in DRC, plus 19 confirmed cases and two deaths in Uganda. WHO said the outbreak in Uganda remains linked to transmission originating in DRC, while CDC says South Sudan is included in U.S. measures because of its border and travel links even though it has not reported cases.

Which U.S. airports are involved

CDC says affected air passengers will have their travel rerouted to designated airports where public-health entry screening is being conducted. Those airports are Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and New York JFK International Airport (JFK).

That routing matters because a traveler who expected to arrive through another U.S. gateway may need a changed connection, a longer layover or a different domestic onward flight. Travelers can reduce avoidable stress by monitoring the IAD live flight board, ATL live flight board, IAH live flight board or JFK live flight board before departure and again after landing.

CDC says airlines will work directly with affected travelers to rebook flights when rerouting is required. But the agency also says it does not reimburse travelers for expenses caused by redirection, including missed flights or related costs. Refunds, credits and insurance coverage depend on the airline, travel provider or policy involved.

What screening can involve

For travelers who are permitted to enter the United States and were recently in the affected countries, screening may include being escorted to a screening area, answering questions about travel history and symptoms, a temperature check, observation for signs of illness and collection of contact information for follow-up by public-health authorities.

CDC stresses that entry screening is not designed to catch every possible case because symptoms can develop after arrival. Travelers who have been in DRC, Uganda or South Sudan are advised to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving and to avoid travel if symptoms develop. CDC lists warning signs that can include fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and unexplained bleeding, and says anyone with symptoms should contact public-health authorities or a healthcare provider before seeking care in person.

For travel advisors and employers, this means the planning window does not end when a passenger clears immigration. A returning traveler may still need daily health monitoring, public-health follow-up, flexibility around domestic or international onward travel and clear instructions about what to do if symptoms appear.

What U.S. travelers should do now

Americans whose trips do not involve DRC, Uganda or South Sudan generally do not need to change travel behavior because of this order. CDC says no Ebola cases connected with the outbreak have been confirmed in the United States and assesses the risk to the general U.S. public as low.

Travelers who do have affected-country itineraries should take a more deliberate approach. Before leaving, confirm whether any recent presence in DRC, Uganda or South Sudan could trigger U.S. routing rules. Recheck airline itineraries, connection times and airport arrival points. Build extra time around IAD, ATL, IAH or JFK in case screening or rebooking changes the onward schedule.

Ground plans also deserve a second look. If a reroute changes the arrival city or arrival time, travelers may need to adjust airport pickups, hotels, train connections, rental cars or transfer reservations. Odyssey readers using New York, Atlanta or Houston as arrival points can also review confirmed ground options for JFK airport transfers, ATL airport transfers and IAH airport transfers.

The strongest practical takeaway is simple: do not treat the June 21 order as a broad travel panic, but do treat it as a real itinerary issue if your route, work assignment or family travel has recently involved the affected countries. The U.S. arrival process may be more controlled, screening may add time, and 21-day health monitoring can affect what happens after the flight lands.