Ebola Outbreak: U.S. Enforces Travel Restrictions

Addis Ababa – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) recognizes the U.S. government’s recent issuance of a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Furthermore, the U.S. has established entry restrictions for non-U.S. passport holders who have visited the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan recently.

In a statement made public on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, Africa CDC noted that the U.S. has been a longstanding and valued partner in areas such as disease surveillance, emergency response, workforce development, and global health security.

As of 18 May 2026, there have been around 395 suspected cases and 106 related deaths reported in the DRC (mainly within the Mongwalu, Rwampara, and Bunia Health Zones), alongside two cases and one fatality in Kampala, Uganda.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal disease that spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals, contaminated objects, or deceased individuals carrying the virus.

Key strategies to interrupt transmission include early detection, rapid isolation and care, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, community involvement, and safe and dignified burials.

Since the outbreak commenced, Africa CDC has persistently communicated information with Member States, partners, the media, and the international community, achieving over 1,600 citations in global media referencing Africa CDC data and technical updates.

Africa CDC acknowledges its awareness of the U.S. government’s advisory and entry restrictions for non-U.S. passport holders who have recently been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan.

The agency fully respects the sovereign responsibility of every government to protect the health and safety of its citizens.

“Our concern is not with the intent to protect populations but with the use of broad travel restrictions as a primary public health strategy during outbreaks,” stated Africa CDC.

“Public health measures amid outbreaks should align with scientific evidence, proportionality, transparency, international collaboration, and adherence to international health regulations.”

Africa CDC firmly believes that generalized travel restrictions and border closures do not effectively resolve outbreaks.

Such measures can trigger fear, disrupt economies, hinder transparency, complicate humanitarian efforts, and redirect movement toward unmonitored routes, thereby escalating public health risks.

“The most effective way to safeguard all nations is to robustly support outbreak control at its source,” remarked H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC.

“Achieving global health security cannot be done solely through borders—it necessitates collaboration, trust, scientific engagement, and swift investment in preparedness and response capabilities.”

This ongoing Ebola outbreak highlights a deeper structural injustice in global health innovation: the Bundibugyo Ebolavirus was identified nearly two decades ago, yet there are no licensed vaccines or therapies available for this strain.

Africa CDC contends that had this disease primarily impacted wealthier regions, medical countermeasures would likely have been developed by now.

A similar scenario was observed during the West African Ebola outbreak, when solutions were identified only after an American doctor became infected, despite thousands of Africans losing their lives without assistance.

We cannot afford to let this happen again.

The declaration of the PHECS on 18 May 2026 on the Africa CDC Official Website aimed to mobilize political leadership, resources, and coordinated continental action.

This is not a prompt for alarm, but a call for unity, urgency, and collective responsibility.

Africa CDC urges heightened international support for:

• Improved cross-border preparedness and regional coordination;
• Ongoing support for frontline health workers and Ministries of Health;
• Strengthening risk communication and effective community engagement;
• Expansion of Bundibugyo Ebolavirus laboratory diagnostics and genomic sequencing;
• Deployment of epidemiologists and emergency response specialists;
• Enhanced funding for surveillance, logistics, infection prevention, and case management, including the ability to isolate cases and arrange dignified burials;
• Accelerated development of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapies for all Ebola strains;

Africa CDC is fully committed to supporting the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and all at-risk Member States.