science
United States Implements Do Not Board Order for Congo Travelers
The United States on July 15 began enforcing a Do Not Board order for American citizens who traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Passengers must spend 21 days outside the country before boarding commercial flights to the United States. The step targets the risk of importing the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
Jul 15, 3:14 PM·1m read4 sources
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The United States on July 15 implemented a Do Not Board order for American citizens who have traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo. The order blocks passengers from boarding commercial flights to the United States unless they have spent 21 days outside the country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Homeland Security issued the measure under Title 42 and Title 49 authorities.
Non-U.S. citizens who had been in the DRC were already barred from travel to the United States. American citizens departing the DRC remain subject to public health screenings conducted by the CDC to determine whether a Do Not Board request should be made for any individual.
Congolese health authorities reported more than 2,000 Ebola cases and 754 deaths as of July 15. The outbreak has reached five provinces. The World Health Organization stated that the true number of cases may be two to four times higher than official counts.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola. No approved vaccine or treatment exists for this strain. The first clinical trial of an antiviral drug for the strain began on July 14, the WHO said.
American citizens can return to the United States 21 days after leaving the DRC. The CDC told Agence France-Presse that screenings of departing citizens continue to assess individual cases.
