Congo Ebola Outbreak: US Bars Citizens in Congo from Direct Flights Amid Ebola Crisis | World News
The Trump administration on Monday announced that US citizens currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will not be allowed to travel directly to the United States on commercial flights due to the country’s worsening Ebola outbreak.According to a White House official, the restriction has been imposed under a transportation authority known as Title 49. Americans in Congo, or those who have recently left the country, will be placed on a “do-not-board” list until they have spent at least 21 days in a third country before traveling to the US.Around two dozen Americans were expected to board flights to the US on Tuesday after traveling to Congo. The official said the US State Department would assist those affected during the waiting period, Reuters cited.Travel advisory issued earlier for US citizens abroadThe US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a “Do Not Travel to Congo” advisory on July 12 for its citizens living abroad due to the Ebola outbreak.The advisory warned that travellers exposed to the virus could face life-threatening risks and may be required to quarantine in a third country for up to 21 days at their own expense, with insurance potentially not covering the costs. It also said the US government has a process in place to help American citizens exposed to Ebola access appropriate medical care if they seek assistance. Ebola outbreak worsens as cases near 2,000The travel restrictions come as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread. Official data released on Sunday showed 1,926 confirmed cases, including 702 deaths, across several provinces.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last week that a US citizen working for a humanitarian organisation in Congo had tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. One infected American was admitted to Frankfurt University Hospital in Germany on Monday, while another American, Dr. Peter Stafford, had earlier been evacuated to Germany for treatment.Ebola is a severe viral disease that spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or animals and can cause symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, and internal and external bleeding.
