The Trump administration will prevent U.S. citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo from flying directly back to the United States, citing the country’s worsening Ebola outbreak and introducing one of its toughest travel restrictions since the public health emergency began.
Under the new policy, Americans who have been in Congo must spend 21 days in a third country before boarding a commercial flight to the United States. The administration said affected travelers will be placed on a federal “do-not-board” list unless they complete the waiting period. The measure is being implemented under federal transportation authorities aimed at preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
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The restrictions come as the Ebola outbreak in Congo continues to expand. Health authorities have confirmed 1,926 cases and 702 deaths across multiple provinces, making it one of the largest Ebola outbreaks in recent years. The World Health Organization has warned that the true scale of the outbreak may be significantly higher because many infections remain undetected.
The policy follows the confirmation that at least two U.S. citizens working with humanitarian organizations have contracted Ebola while in Congo. One American was evacuated to Germany for treatment, while another case was previously identified and managed with assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department.
Federal officials said the CDC and State Department will continue assisting Americans affected by the restrictions. The United States has also contributed funding and personnel to international Ebola response efforts and has explored establishing quarantine facilities outside the country to manage exposed Americans.
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The decision has drawn criticism from some public health experts and humanitarian organizations, who argue that forcing Americans to remain in third countries could discourage medical volunteers from working in outbreak zones and complicate emergency response efforts. They also warn that the restrictions shift responsibility for infected patients to other nations rather than strengthening domestic preparedness.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been battling the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola since May. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, there is currently no approved vaccine specifically targeting the Bundibugyo variant, making containment efforts more difficult. Health officials have cited insecurity, population displacement and attacks on healthcare facilities as major obstacles to controlling the outbreak.
The latest restrictions reflect the Trump administration’s broader strategy of keeping Ebola cases outside U.S. borders. Earlier measures included enhanced airport screening, limits on travelers from affected regions and plans for offshore quarantine facilities for exposed Americans.