The U.S.government has implemented new travel restrictions for American citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to a rapidly escalating Ebola outbreak.On July 13, 2026, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr.signed an order under Title 49 transportation authority, placing Congo-based U.S.citizens on a 'do-not-board' list for commercial flights to the U.S.until they complete a 21-day quarantine in a third country.

This measure follows official data showing 1,926 confirmed Ebola cases and 702 deaths in the DRC as of July 12, 2026, with the virus spreading beyond Kinshasa.The restrictions aim to prevent the virus from reaching U.S.soil, as the CDC confirmed a U.S.citizen working in Congo tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain.Two Americans infected in Congo were treated in Germany, highlighting the global concern.The policy affects travelers set to depart on July 14, 2026, with the State Department offering support during the waiting period.

The outbreak underscores the challenges of containing Ebola in densely populated regions and the need for international cooperation in public health crises.