US Requires Ebola Region Travelers to Land at Dulles

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has ordered that all U.S.-bound travelers who recently visited Ebola-affected regions in Africa must enter the country through Washington Dulles International Airport for mandatory health screening.

The new measure applies to:

• U.S. citizens
• Lawful permanent residents
• Travelers recently present in:
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Uganda
  • South Sudan

The policy comes as health officials respond to a growing Ebola outbreak that has already caused hundreds of suspected infections and more than 160 deaths.

CDC invokes Title 42 over Ebola outbreak

The CDC has also activated Title 42 for at least 30 days starting Monday.

Under the order:

• Non-citizens who recently visited affected countries may face entry restrictions
• Travelers will undergo screening and monitoring
• State health departments will track exposed passengers after arrival

Officials say the measures are designed to slow the spread of Ebola into the United States.

Marco Rubio said Thursday that preventing Ebola from entering the country remains the administration’s “number one priority.”

How Ebola screening at Dulles will work

According to the CDC, travelers arriving from affected regions will be escorted to a special screening area at Dulles.

Health officials will:

• Review travel histories
• Ask about symptoms
• Check temperatures
• Observe for signs of illness

Passengers without symptoms will receive instructions about monitoring and reporting symptoms after arrival.

Their contact information will then be shared with local and state health departments for follow-up monitoring.

Travelers showing symptoms such as fever or other Ebola indicators may be:

• Isolated immediately
• Transported to a hospital
• Tested for Ebola infection

The CDC said it will notify other passengers if exposure concerns emerge.

Air France flight diverted after passenger denied US entry

An Air France flight headed from Paris to Detroit was temporarily diverted to Montreal after a Congolese passenger was denied entry into the United States.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the traveler boarded the aircraft “in error” under the new restrictions.

Canadian officials later confirmed the passenger showed no symptoms and returned to Paris.

The rest of the flight continued on to Detroit.

CDC sending staff to assist at airport

At least 10 CDC staff members are being deployed to Dulles to support screening operations.

The Department of Homeland Security said it is coordinating with:

• Airlines
• International partners
• Airport officials
• Customs officers

Officials stressed the current Ebola risk to the general American public remains low.

American doctors evacuated from Congo

Several American medical workers connected to the outbreak have already been transported to Europe for treatment or monitoring.

Peter Stafford tested positive for Ebola while working in the DRC and is currently hospitalized in Germany.

His wife, Rebekah Stafford, and their children remain asymptomatic and are being monitored separately.

Doctors say Stafford is receiving monoclonal antibody treatment and has shown signs of improvement.

Another American physician, Patrick LaRochelle, has been placed in quarantine at a hospital in Czech Republic after potential exposure in the DRC.

Ebola outbreak continues to grow in Central Africa

Health officials say there are now:

• More than 600 suspected Ebola cases
• Around 160 deaths
• Confirmed spread between multiple regions

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has:

• No approved vaccine
• No approved targeted treatment

The World Health Organization previously declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Officials stress monitoring remains essential

CDC officials say the Dulles screening system is part of a broader “layered approach” to limit the spread of Ebola.

Travelers from affected countries may continue facing:

• Monitoring periods
• Temperature checks
• Contact tracing
• Isolation requirements if symptoms develop

Federal officials say additional restrictions could still be introduced if the outbreak worsens.