U.S. Issues Some International Travel Restrictions Due to New Ebola Virus Strain

Published 05/21/26 at 9:45 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Portland, Oregon) – The recent outbreak of a new strain of Ebola has the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring a “a public health emergency of international concern,“ as the U.S. monitors a handful of citizens there who were exposed. (Above: Portland International Airport / Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

What it means to most countries around the world is some travel limitations, at least for now. At home, in Oregon and Washington, neither of the health departments in the Pacific Northwest have issued any statements.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said they are implementing new health measures to prevent the introduction of Ebola Virus Disease linked to the Bundibugyo strain, due to the ongoing outbreaks in East Africa. The agency issued the 30-day order on May 18. See CDC and DHS latest on Ebola

According to the CDC, federal agencies including the DHS will expand health screening and traveler monitoring for people arriving from affected regions. Travel and entry restrictions will apply to non-U.S. citizens who have been in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or South Sudan within the past 21 days.

“At this time, CDC assesses the immediate risk to the general U.S. public as low, but we will continue to evaluate the evolving situation and may adjust public health measures as additional information becomes available,” CDC said.

The agency is also coordinating with airlines and port-of-entry officials to identify travelers who may have been exposed, while increasing contact tracing, laboratory capacity, and hospital readiness across the country. CDC personnel will continue supporting outbreak response efforts overseas.

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Travelers returning from affected countries are urged to follow CDC travel notices and seek immediate medical care if they develop symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding within 21 days of travel.

There are no cases being monitored within the U.S., and spreading it involves coming into contact with the bodily fluids of those infected. Ebola cannot be transmitted through the air.

Oregon Health Authority currently only has references to previous world outbreaks. Its website does indicate that by law any cases must be reported to state authorities, however.

There are no measurable risks to those traveling within the U.S.

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