Washington, D.C. – The U.S. government is requiring travelers arriving from countries affected by ongoing Ebola outbreaks to pass through Washington Dulles International Airport for enhanced health screening.
The State Department announced Thursday that U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have recently been in Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan must undergo additional screening by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Customs and Border Protection before entering the country. The policy applies to anyone who has been in those nations within 21 days of arriving in the United States.
The move follows the World Health Organization’s declaration of an international public health emergency after Ebola outbreaks spread in Congo and Uganda. South Sudan has not confirmed any cases but was included because of its proximity to the outbreak zones.
Earlier this week, the CDC also barred entry for foreign passport holders who recently traveled through the affected countries. Concerns increased after a passenger from Congo mistakenly boarded a flight to Detroit, forcing the aircraft to divert to Montreal.
Health officials say the current Ebola outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus strain, which has no approved vaccine and carries fatality rates ranging from 25% to 50%. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, bleeding, abdominal pain, and severe weakness.
Federal agencies say Dulles Airport was selected because it receives the highest number of travelers from the affected region.
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