US blocks Americans in DR Congo from immediate travel home citing Ebola

The U.S. has implemented travel restrictions preventing American citizens and nationals who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo from entering the United States via commercial aviation. The State Department announced the measures, which are a response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

According to the U.S. embassy in Congo, travelers who have been in the DRC within the past 21 days will not be permitted to board flights bound for the U.S. U.S. citizens and nationals are advised to remain outside the DRC for a 21-day period before attempting to re-enter the United States.

The Ebola outbreak in Congo has spread across multiple provinces. Official data indicates there have been 1,926 confirmed cases, resulting in 702 deaths.

Dr. Daniel Jernigan, a former senior official at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, described the policy as unprecedented. He expressed concerns that the 'do-not-board' approach, applied to U.S. citizens with little risk of infection, could shift public health responsibilities to third countries, encourage travelers to hide their itineraries, and complicate efforts to recruit American responders for outbreak situations.