U.S. Issues 30-Day Travel Ban Amid Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa

On May 18, 2026 the CDC announced a 30-day suspension of entry for non-citizen travelers who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda or South Sudan during the prior 21 days. Issued under Title 42, the order exempts U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, military personnel and others cleared by customs.

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The WHO declared a public-health emergency after confirming a Bundibugyo-strain Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC. Cases have spread to Uganda (two infections, one death) and the threat extends to South Sudan. Reported deaths range from about 80 to roughly 100, with 10 confirmed and 336 suspected cases in DRC, 88 of which are fatal, and two confirmed cases in Uganda.

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The order was drafted by the CDC under Title 42, signed by acting director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, and will be enforced by the Department of Homeland Security. The CDC said the virus’ incubation period of up to 21 days lets asymptomatic travelers evade symptom-based screening, so it will screen arrivals, expand contact-tracing, increase lab capacity and boost hospital readiness. It maintains that the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low but will continue monitoring. The order remains in effect for 30 days.

UsNews and World Report

Public-health scholars warn that U.S. hospitals, weakened by staffing and funding cuts, may lack capacity to safely treat Ebola. Georgetown professor Lawrence Gostin noted the outbreak’s low but non-zero chance of reaching the United States, while Johns Hopkins’ Dr. Paul Spiegel stressed the country’s status as a major travel hub that raises exposure risk.

Newsweek

Sources list death tolls of 80, 88 and “around 100” fatalities, and estimates of Americans potentially exposed range from “at least six” to an unspecified number, highlighting gaps in precise exposure information.

Newsweek

The CDC said it will keep monitoring the outbreak, adjust travel or health measures as needed, and continue supporting containment efforts in the affected African nations.

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• “the likelihood of a sustained Ebola outbreak in the U.S. is low but not zero.” — Lawrence Gostin, professor of global health law, Georgetown University

Newsweek

• “without specialized support our hospitals are not equipped to detect and safely treat Ebola cases.” — Lawrence Gostin

Newsweek

• “The governments and health officials in these countries, particularly DRC and Uganda, have decades of experience in Ebola outbreaks,” — Dr. Paul Spiegel, director, Center for Humanitarian Health, Johns Hopkins University

Newsweek

• “At this time, CDC assesses the immediate risk to the general US public as low, but we will continue to evaluate the evolving situation and may adjust public health measures as additional information becomes available,” — CDC

The Straits Times