The Trump administration has blocked U.S. citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo from flying directly home, enforcing a 21-day third-country wait under Title 49 authority. The restrictions, prompted by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over a widening Ebola outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo virus, affect about 24 Americans scheduled to fly. The outbreak has caused over 700 deaths, and multiple infected American aid workers have been evacuated to Germany.
U.S. travel restrictions Congo
- ▪The travel restrictions for U.S. citizens follow a May 2026 order that already restricted non-U.S. citizens who had recently been in Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan from entering the United States without a 21-day wait
- ▪The Trump administration began imposing travel restrictions on July 13, 2026, requiring U.S. citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo to spend at least 21 days in a third country before boarding a commercial flight to the United States
Congo Ebola outbreak spread
- ▪The World Health Organization reported 1,963 confirmed Ebola cases and 719 confirmed deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while official data from late July 12, 2026, showed at least 1,926 confirmed cases and 702 deaths
- ▪The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment
- ▪U.S. health authorities are observing greater community spread of Ebola into the western part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, including areas just hours outside of the capital, Kinshasa
American Ebola patient evacuations
- ▪A U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo tested positive for the Bundibugyo Ebola virus and was admitted to Frankfurt University Hospital in Germany on July 13, 2026
- ▪Dr. Peter Stafford, an American doctor working with the Serge Christian mission organization, contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo and was evacuated to Germany for treatment in May 2026
Title 49 transportation authority
- ▪The Trump administration's travel restrictions are executed under Title 49 transportation authority, which places affected U.S. citizens on a commercial flight "do-not-board" list
- ▪The Title 49 restrictions are based on an updated, non-public order signed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that is in effect for 30 days
State Department citizen support
- ▪Approximately two dozen U.S. citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo were scheduled to board flights to the United States on July 14, 2026, when the travel restrictions took effect
- ▪The U.S. State Department is coordinating with humanitarian partners and exploring quarantine-related resources to support Americans who must isolate in a third country for 21 days before returning home
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