Key facts
- 14 American citizens were quarantined at Fort Drum, New York.
- The individuals returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The quarantine lasted four days.
- The travelers were asymptomatic and not considered a transmission risk.
- The quarantine was implemented under the Trump administration's efforts to prevent Ebola entry into the U.S.
U.S. health officials quarantined 14 American citizens at a New York military base for four days after their return from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where an Ebola outbreak is underway, according to records and sources familiar with the situation. The travelers, who were returning via Canada, were asymptomatic and deemed not to be at risk of transmitting the disease. This incident highlights the administration's efforts to prevent Ebola from reaching the U.S., including a "do-not-board" order requiring U.S. citizens in Congo to quarantine for at least 21 days before returning via commercial flight.
Experts have raised concerns that these policies could face legal challenges, as American citizens have the right to reenter their country, though they can be quarantined if exposed to a highly infectious disease. The travelers, including recently naturalized citizens visiting family, attempted to reenter the U.S. by land through ports of entry in Vermont and New York after flying to Canada. They were transported to Fort Drum, a U.S. Army base, where they were housed in apartment-style quarters and placed under observation by CDC officials before their release on Monday.
A Pentagon official confirmed that Fort Drum provided a temporary, isolated assessment facility and life support at the request of the health agency, with medical evaluations conducted by the CDC. Defense Department officials informed lawmakers that the base's facilities would not negatively affect military training or operations. The incident underscores the complex and sometimes contentious implementation of public health measures during disease outbreaks.