The United States tightens Ebola-related travel precautions in response to the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which the World Health Organization has declared an international health emergency. U.S. authorities require Americans and legal residents who have been in Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the prior 21 days to re-enter the country through designated airports for enhanced screening. Multiple reports say these airports include Washington Dulles (Virginia), and—later—Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (Georgia) and George Bush Intercontinental (Texas), with travelers processed through a special area.
The enhanced procedures described across outlets include an in-person questionnaire and collection of contact details, observation for symptoms, and temperature checks. Travelers without symptoms are allowed to continue onward, while those with symptoms are evaluated by public health personnel and may be directed to hospitals.
In addition to screening, the U.S. temporarily suspends or tightens visa services and expands entry restrictions affecting travelers who have recently been in the outbreak-hit countries. Reporting also references that at least one American associated with the outbreak has been diagnosed and transferred for care outside the U.S., and that further decisions about potential U.S. moves for exposed individuals are handled case-by-case.
