Americans leaving DRC barred from returning to US for 21 days over Ebola

Health teams in personal protective equipment respond to the Ebola outbreak in eastern DR Congo. (Photo: WHO/Joël Lumbala)

By Rachael Mutabasi
Thursday, July 16, 2026

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“All US citizens and US nationals who have been in the DRC should plan to remain outside the DRC for 21 days before entering the United States,” the embassy said in a travel alert issued on Wednesday.

The measures come days after an American working in the DRC contracted the virus, prompting heightened attention on the outbreak and the risk of international spread.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Due to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Department of Homeland Security has implemented new restrictions under Title 49 of the U.S. Code which prevent U.S. citizens and nationals who have been in the DRC… pic.twitter.com/d0J6Elw7jy

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— TravelGov (@TravelGov) July 16, 2026

The restrictions are being implemented amid an Ebola outbreak that has spread to multiple provinces in the DRC. Official Congolese data cited by Reuters showed that confirmed Ebola cases had risen to 1,926, including 702 deaths.

The US government has advised affected citizens to review guidance from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), confirm travel arrangements with airlines and contact the nearest US embassy or consulate if they require assistance with changing flights or securing temporary accommodation.

The US Embassy in Kinshasa has also advised citizens in the DRC to keep travel documents up to date, notify family members of their safety and seek medical guidance if they develop symptoms consistent with Ebola disease.

The measures come as health authorities continue monitoring the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and strengthening efforts to contain further spread of the virus.