ATLANTA — The U.S. is temporarily restricting entry for travelers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as the country’s Ebola outbreak continues to spread.
The World Health Organization says the outbreak is spreading faster than health authorities can contain it and is on track to become the deadliest on record. The death toll from the current outbreak has topped 2,000.
The deadliest previous Ebola outbreak killed more than 11,000 people.
Dr. Henry Walke with the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the risk of the virus being imported into the U.S. remains low.
“The risk of importation is low, and even with this reduction for travelers it’s even lower,” Walke said.
Under the temporary restrictions, travelers who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo within 21 days of their flight will not be allowed to board commercial flights bound for the U.S. The restriction includes U.S. citizens and nationals.
“And really what that means is that travelers including US citizens, and US nationals, who have been in DRC in 21 days of their flight or even have an intermediate stop in DRC, will not be allowed to board commercial flights with US destinations,” Walke said.
Walke says travelers who have been in the country should plan to remain outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo for 21 days before entering the U.S.
“So anyone who’s been to DRC should plan to remain outside of DRC for 21 days before entering the US,” Walke said.
The restrictions will remain in place as long as Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to increase.
WSB Radio’s Sabrina Cupit contributed to this story.