US Takes Emergency Measures to Address Risk of Ebola Virus Entry
Washington — The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday, 18 May, announced tightened travel restrictions to prevent the entry of Ebola into the United States amid ongoing outbreaks in East and Central Africa. In its official statement, the CDC said the measures were implemented in coordination with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and several other federal agencies to curb the risk of transmission from Bundibugyo virus.
New policies include enhanced public health screening at entry points and monitoring of travellers from affected regions. The United States government also imposed entry restrictions on non-US passport holders who have travelled to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, or South Sudan within the past 21 days.
The CDC also strengthened coordination with airlines, international partners, and border officials to identify and manage travellers who may have been exposed. It said it would increase capacity to respond at entry points, expand contact tracing, strengthen laboratory testing capabilities, and bolster hospital preparedness nationwide.
Beyond domestic steps, the CDC will continue to deploy personnel to affected areas to support outbreak response.
Nevertheless, the CDC assessed that the immediate risk to the general public in the United States remains low. The agency said it will continue monitoring developments and adjust public health policies if necessary.
According to the CDC, there is currently no vaccine specifically for Bundibugyo. Treatment remains supportive care to improve survival chances.
Latest data as of Monday 18 May show 11 confirmed cases and 336 suspected cases, including 88 deaths, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Uganda, two cases have been confirmed with one fatality.
Patients infected report classic Ebola symptoms, such as high fever, headache, vomiting, extreme weakness, abdominal pain, epistaxis, and vomiting blood.
Earlier on Sunday 17 May, CDC Africa warned that the outbreak poses a rising risk of regional spread.
The World Health Organization has declared the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a global health emergency after nearly 100 fatalities in May 2026.