Washington: US authorities have announced stricter entry rules for travelers arriving from Ebola-affected regions in Central Africa amid growing concern over the worsening outbreak.
The new measures require Americans and lawful permanent residents who have recently been in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan to enter the United States only through Washington Dulles International Airport.
The policy was introduced as health officials attempt to prevent the spread of the ongoing Ebola outbreak, which has already been linked to rising deaths and hundreds of suspected infections.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Customs and Border Protection said enhanced screening procedures are now being carried out at Dulles Airport for eligible travelers.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said protecting Americans from the virus remains the government’s top priority. The new travel measures follow an incident involving an Air France flight from Paris to Detroit that was diverted to Montreal after a passenger from DR Congo reportedly boarded the aircraft by mistake.
Health officials said the diversion was carried out as a precautionary measure linked to Ebola screening procedures. The CDC has also suspended entry for most non-American travelers who recently visited DR Congo or South Sudan, although the restrictions do not apply to US citizens or permanent residents.
The outbreak has been connected to at least 139 deaths and around 600 suspected cases in eastern parts of DR Congo, according to the World Health Organization. Uganda has also confirmed imported Ebola cases connected to the outbreak.
The WHO recently declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern due to fears of wider regional spread. Health experts remain especially concerned because the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which no approved vaccine currently exists.
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