On June 21, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new 30-day Order continuing the suspension of the right to introduce certain foreign nationals into the United States, extending the Ebola-related entry restrictions that have been in place since May 18, 2026. The new order covers travelers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan.
The extension is being driven by a continuing and rapidly escalating Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak that the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, only the eighth PHEIC declaration in the history of modern international health regulations. As of June 15, 2026, the ECDC reported 837 confirmed cases and 196 confirmed deaths in DRC, with 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths in Uganda. By June 17, the confirmed death count had risen to 198. The outbreak has expanded across Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces in DRC, and imported cases have reached Uganda's capital, Kampala.
This is historically significant. As the CDC has confirmed, the current outbreak is "the largest known Bundibugyo virus outbreak" ever recorded. The Bundibugyo strain has a case fatality rate of approximately 20% in the current outbreak, lower than the Zaire strain of Ebola, but still among the most lethal infectious diseases circulating anywhere in the world today. Critically, there is no approved vaccine for Bundibugyo virus. The two licensed Ebola vaccines — Ervebo and the Mvabea/Zabdeno regimen — both target the Zaire strain, and cross-protection against Bundibugyo has not been established. Treatment is entirely supportive.
How the Entry Screening System Works
Permitted U.S. travelers — including U.S. citizens — who have recently been in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan are being rerouted to one of four designated airports for enhanced public health entry screening:
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) — for flights departing after May 21, 2026
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) — for flights departing after May 22, 2026
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH) — for flights departing after May 26, 2026
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, JFK, New York — for flights departing after May 28, 2026
At these airports, enhanced public health entry screening includes health questionnaires, symptom assessment, and in-person evaluation. Following screening, the CDC uses automated text messages to remind travelers to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving the affected countries, and traveler contact information is shared with state and local health departments for additional follow-up.
As CBS News reported at the time of the original order, this is the first time the U.S. has imposed a travel ban in response to an Ebola outbreak. During the 2014-2015 West Africa Ebola epidemic and the 2018-2019 DRC outbreak, the U.S. relied on enhanced screening without entry restrictions. The current order, signed under authority granted by Sections 362 and 365 of the Public Health Service Act, was signed by NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya in his capacity as a top CDC official.
| Ebola Outbreak and U.S. Response Summary | Data |
| Outbreak strain | Bundibugyo virus (Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) |
| Countries affected | DRC (primary), Uganda (imported cases), South Sudan (included in order) |
| DRC confirmed cases (as of June 15) | 837 |
| DRC confirmed deaths (as of June 15) | 196 |
| Uganda confirmed cases | 19 |
| Uganda confirmed deaths | 2 |
| Total confirmed deaths (as of June 17) | 198 |
| WHO status | PHEIC declared May 17, 2026 |
| Approved vaccine for Bundibugyo | None |
| U.S. entry restriction start date | May 18, 2026 |
| June 21 order duration | 30 days |
| U.S. confirmed Ebola cases | None |
| U.S. airports with screening | Dulles, Atlanta, Houston, JFK |
The Public Health Reality — Risk to Americans and What to Watch For
The CDC has assessed the immediate risk to the general U.S. public as low. No cases of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus have been confirmed in the United States in connection with this outbreak. One American — Peter Stafford, a U.S. missionary physician working at Nyankunde Hospital in eastern DRC — tested positive for Bundibugyo virus in May 2026 and was medically evacuated to Berlin's Charité Hospital for treatment. No U.S.-based cases have been confirmed.
Bundibugyo virus, like other Ebola viruses, spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids — blood, urine, vomit, diarrhea, or saliva — of an infected person or contaminated surfaces. It does not spread through the air or through casual contact. Community spread in the United States, if a case were confirmed, would be extremely unlikely given the country's public health infrastructure, infection control measures, and healthcare isolation capacity.
The June 21 extension order indicates that the outbreak has not been sufficiently controlled to allow the removal of U.S. travel restrictions. Contact tracing in DRC is running well below the 90 percent threshold needed to stay ahead of an epidemic, complicated by ongoing armed conflict in Ituri Province, population displacement, and attacks on healthcare workers. As Al Jazeera reported based on WHO data, the WHO Director-General had described the outbreak trajectory as of concern, given the growing geographic spread and case burden.
Anyone who has traveled to DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days and develops symptoms, including fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, abdominal pain, nosebleeds, or vomiting blood, should avoid travel, call ahead to a healthcare provider before going to a clinic or emergency room, and disclose their travel history immediately. Healthcare facilities should follow CDC interim guidance for managing patients with suspected or confirmed viral hemorrhagic fever.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the CDC order on June 21, 2026?
The CDC issued a new 30-day Order on June 21, 2026, extending the suspension of the right to introduce certain foreign nationals from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan into the United States. The order continues the enhanced public health measures first implemented on May 18, 2026, in response to the Bundibugyo virus Ebola outbreak.
What is the Bundibugyo strain, and why is it different from other Ebola strains?
Bundibugyo virus is one of four known Ebola virus species that cause disease in humans. The CDC states it was first identified in Uganda in 2007 and has had two prior outbreaks, with death rates of 32% and 55%, respectively. Critically, the two approved Ebola vaccines target the Zaire strain and do not provide established cross-protection against Bundibugyo. There is currently no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain.
Where are travelers from affected countries being screened?
Travelers permitted to enter the U.S. from DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan are being rerouted to one of four designated airports: Washington Dulles (IAD), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), George Bush Intercontinental Houston (IAH), or JFK in New York.
Is there any risk to the U.S. general public?
The CDC assesses the immediate risk to the U.S. general public as low. No U.S.-based cases have been confirmed in connection with this outbreak. Bundibugyo virus does not spread through the air or casual contact; it requires direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.
What should people who recently traveled to DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan do?
Monitor for symptoms — fever, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, or unexplained bleeding — for 21 days after leaving affected areas. If symptoms develop, call ahead to a healthcare provider before arriving in person and immediately disclose travel history. Do not travel domestically or internationally during the 21-day monitoring period without notifying your health department.
