The United States(US) has issued a travel advisory warning its citizens against visiting several countries in East and Central Africa following an Ebola Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the region.
In a statement issued on Tuesday May, 19, the US government urged Americans not to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Uganda for any reason, citing heightened health and safety risks linked to the outbreak.
The advisory places the three countries at Level 4, the highest travel warning category, meaning “Do Not Travel.”
US Issues Travel Advisory
The Department of State also advised citizens to reconsider travel to Rwanda, which has been placed under a Level 3 advisory (“Reconsider Travel”) as health authorities continue to monitor the regional situation.
“The Department of State strongly urges Americans not to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, or Uganda for any reason and to reconsider travel to Rwanda due to the Ebola Bundibugyo Virus disease outbreak in the region,” reads the advisory in part.
“The Department’s Travel Advisories for DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda are now Level 4 – Do Not Travel, and the Travel Advisory for Rwanda is Level 3 – Reconsider Travel.”
Also Read: Americans Affected as Ebola Outbreak Spread
Ebola Outbreak Spreads in DRC and Uganda
Health authorities have raised fresh concern over the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, as regional and international agencies step up emergency response measures.
On Monday May 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice, advising travellers to “reconsider nonessential travel” to the DRC due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
A day earlier, on May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), signalling a coordinated global response to contain the spread of the disease.
On the same day, Rwanda moved to close its land border with the DRC as a precautionary measure following rising health risks in the region.
High-risk areas identified
According to the U.S. travel advisory, Ituri Province in the DRC has been classified as Level 4 (Do Not Travel), citing extremely limited capacity for emergency assistance to American citizens in the area.
Authorities have warned against travel to the region under any circumstances due to the severity of the outbreak and limited access to medical evacuation services.
Also Read: WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak a Global Emergency as Deadly Virus Spreads Across Borders
How Ebola spreads
Ebola is a rare but severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever. CDC says the virus spreads through:
- Direct contact with infected persons or their bodily fluids.
- Contact with infected corpses during burial or handling.
- Contact with contaminated objects or surfaces.
CDC Issues Health Guidance
Travellers and residents in affected areas have been advised to take strict precautions, including monitoring for symptoms for up to 21 days after potential exposure.
The CDC has also urged individuals to consult healthcare providers immediately if Ebola symptoms appear
They have also been advised to continue malaria prophylaxis, as malaria symptoms can resemble Ebola.
Citizens should also confirm travel insurance coverage, including medical evacuation options.
The Department of State said it worked closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in issuing a May 18, 2026 Title 42 order, which prohibits entry into the United States for foreign nationals who have visited the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan within the past 21 days.
At the same time, the Department stated that it is working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to implement the order and enforce any future CDC quarantine.
