U.S. bars entry from Congo, Uganda, South Sudan

The United States on May 18 imposed temporary Ebola-related entry restrictions on some foreign nationals who were recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, while also ordering enhanced screening at U.S. ports of entry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the measures were taken with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to prevent Ebola disease from entering the country. The restrictions come as an outbreak centered in Congo’s Ituri Province has spread concern across neighboring countries. The State Department on May 17 raised its travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Level 4, telling Americans not to travel there because of the Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province. ### Who is covered by the U.S. entry ban? The CDC said the order applies to non-U.S. passport holders who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan during the previous 21 days. The agency said the action is temporary and took effect on May 18. Multiple reports said the order is set to last 30 days. U.S. citizens and U.S. service members are not covered by the ban. (cdc.gov) ### Why were Uganda and South Sudan included? The State Department said on May 18 that the U.S. response is aimed at outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. South Sudan has also been placed under heightened U.S. alert because Ituri Province borders South Sudan and U.S. Embassy Juba issued a health alert on May 17 warning of the outbreak’s proximity to Juba, about 250 miles away. The CDC said the measures are meant to reduce the risk of Ebola importation from ongoing outbreaks in East and Central Africa. (cdc.gov) ### What changes at the airport or land border? The CDC said federal agencies have implemented enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions and other public-health measures at ports of entry. The agency said it is also coordinating with airlines and customs officers to identify travelers who may have been exposed, and reports said the broader response includes contact tracing, laboratory testing capacity and hospital readiness. The CDC did not describe the policy as a blanket shutdown of travel from the region; it described a targeted public-health restriction tied to recent travel history. (state.gov) ### How serious do U.S. officials say the risk is? The CDC said the immediate risk to the general U.S. public is low even as it moved to tighten border controls. The State Department said it set up an interagency coordination cell in Washington within 24 hours of learning of confirmed cases on May 15. That statement said the U.S. response is focused on containing the outbreak before it reaches American shores. (cdc.gov) ### What did the State Department say about Congo? The State Department’s travel advisory page says the Democratic Republic of the Congo was raised from Level 3 to Level 4 on May 17. The advisory specifically cites the Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease outbreak in Ituri Province. Separate media reports said the warning was framed as a “Do Not Travel” notice for Americans considering trips to the area. (cdc.gov) ### What happens next? The CDC said travelers and the public should monitor its Ebola information page for updates on the restrictions and public-health guidance. The 30-day restriction announced on May 18 will be the next formal milestone to watch, along with any extension, revision or termination by the CDC, DHS or the State Department. (cdc.gov) (travel.state.gov)