The US will introduce a new declaration requirement for all inbound air travelers as part of efforts to prevent Ebola from entering the country. The measure will require passengers to confirm whether they have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the previous 21 days.
The new rule, announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is scheduled to take effect on November 3, 2026. Travelers will be required to submit the declaration digitally or on paper, according to a memo reviewed by Reuters.
The move comes as health authorities respond to an ongoing Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC. The US government is tightening travel screening while continuing to assess the potential risk to public health.
US Introduces New Ebola Declaration for Air Passengers
Under the new requirement, airlines will need to collect declarations from passengers traveling to the US. The forms will confirm whether travelers have been present in the DRC within the 21 days before their flight.
The requirement applies to all US-bound air passengers, including American citizens. Airlines are expected to receive guidance from the CDC on how to implement the process and ensure compliance before the November 3 deadline.
The declaration adds another layer to existing travel restrictions introduced earlier in 2026. Those measures prevent people who have recently been in the DRC from boarding commercial flights to the United States.
Existing US Travel Restrictions Remain in Place
The CDC had already restricted travel to the US for passengers who had been in the DRC during the 21 days before departure. The restrictions were extended to US citizens and nationals in July.
Separate measures also apply to travelers who have recently visited Uganda or South Sudan. Certain passengers arriving from those countries must use designated US airports for enhanced public health screening, depending on their travel history and citizenship.
The latest declaration requirement is intended to strengthen the government’s ability to identify relevant travel histories before passengers board flights. It does not replace the existing restrictions or screening arrangements.
Ebola Outbreak Raises Global Health Concerns
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which can cause severe illness and has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, according to Reuters. The virus spread undetected for months before the outbreak was declared in May 2026.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention figures cited by Reuters, the outbreak has caused approximately 4,700 deaths in Africa. However, the CDC reported on October 20 that no cases linked to this outbreak had been confirmed in the United States.
The CDC says the overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low. Health authorities continue to monitor the situation and coordinate with international partners as they work to limit the spread of the virus.
Airlines Prepare for New US Entry Requirements
The CDC is briefing major US and international airlines on the new declaration process. Airlines will need to establish procedures for collecting and processing the required forms before passengers travel to the United States.
The policy places additional responsibility on carriers to verify passenger declarations alongside existing travel restrictions. Further operational guidance is expected to help airlines apply the requirement consistently across international routes.
For passengers planning to travel to the US, checking current airline instructions and official CDC travel guidance will be important, particularly for those whose recent travel includes countries affected by the outbreak.
