The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has initiated enhanced public health entry screening measures for travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda starting May 20, 2026.

Effective May 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), CDC implemented screenings for travelers who have been in any of the three countries within 21 days prior to arrival in the United States. The expanded measures to include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) took effect May 22, 2026 at the same time.

The CDC’s Port Health Protection system operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year to support public health response activities at U.S. ports of entry. Travelers who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda within 21 days prior to arrival will be escorted to a designated screening area where they will answer public health questions and may undergo additional assessment as needed.

The CDC has prioritized “CDCReady Responders” from its workforce for these screenings. This initiative follows an internal email sent by Jay Bhattacharya, the CDC’s head and director of the National Institutes of Health.

Concurrently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) mandated that all U.S.-bound American citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days must enter through Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), starting May 21, 2026.

As reported by the CDC on May 23, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed 83 Ebola infections and nine deaths, with an additional 746 suspected cases and 176 suspected deaths. Uganda has reported five confirmed cases and one death.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had previously declared the outbreak an international public health emergency on May 17. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated during a live-streamed press conference on May 22 that the risk level is “very high” at the national level in affected regions, “high” at the regional level, and “low” at the global level.

Scientists are currently working to contain the Bundibugyo virus strain of Ebola, for which there is no vaccine. Symptoms include fever, generalized body pain, weakness, vomiting, and bleeding in some cases.