Ebola Screening at US Airports: What Travelers Need to Know

At A Glance

• The three designated screening airports are Washington-Dulles (IAD), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), and George Bush Intercontinental Houston (IAH).

• Any traveler who has been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days, including U.S. citizens and permanent residents, must enter the U.S. through one of these three airports.

• Non-U.S. citizens who visited the affected countries in the past 21 days are currently barred from entering the U.S. under Title 42 for at least 30 days.

• Screening includes a health questionnaire, temperature check, and symptom assessment, so affected travelers should plan for extra processing time at customs.

• The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine.

• Travelers who have not recently been to the affected countries are not directly impacted when connecting through or arriving at these airports.

Which Airports Are Involved and Why

The CDC expanded enhanced Ebola screening to Atlanta effective May 22, 2026, in addition to Washington-Dulles, which began screening on May 20. Houston became the third designated airport shortly after. All three are screening passengers who traveled from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda, according to US Customs and Border Protection.

A rare Ebola strain is responsible for more than 1,200 suspected and confirmed cases and over 260 deaths in the DRC and Uganda, according to the CDC. The WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency, which triggered the US federal response. The Bundibugyo strain driving this outbreak currently has no approved vaccine, making containment measures the primary line of defense.

Who Is Required to Use These Airports

The entry requirement applies to all passengers, including US citizens and lawful permanent residents, who were in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days. This isn't optional. If that applies to you, you're required to route your return through one of the three designated airports, not another US hub.

The CDC has also invoked Title 42, a public health law used to restrict entry during outbreaks of communicable diseases, for at least 30 days. Under that measure, non-US citizens who have been in the affected countries within the previous 21 days are currently barred from entering the United States.

Image Credit: CDC Website

What the Screening Process Actually Looks Like

Travelers arriving from Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan will complete a brief questionnaire about their recent travel and any potential exposure risks. Protocols also include temperature checks and immediate assessments for passengers showing symptoms. For most travelers it's a manageable addition to arrival processing, but plan for extra time and don't book a tight connection.

The CDC is supplementing screening staff at all three locations. At least 10 CDC staffers have been sent to Dulles to assist with screening of arriving passengers. The agency is also recruiting additional volunteers from within its workforce to expand capacity at all three sites as needed.

What This Means If You're Not Coming From Affected Countries

If you haven't been to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days, the screening program doesn't affect your travel. Flights to and from Dulles, Atlanta, and Houston operate normally. The only change you'll notice is potentially slower processing at customs as the additional screening infrastructure operates in parallel.

The outbreak has caused over 1,200 suspected and confirmed cases and over 260 deaths primarily in Congo and Uganda, and has raised concerns about travel impacts including for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Houston health officials have specifically addressed Ebola concerns tied to World Cup travel. The official position from health authorities is that the risk to the general US public remains low.

It's worth following CDC updates on this one closely over the coming weeks, particularly if you have travel planned through any of the three hub airports during the World Cup period. Conditions and screening requirements can change quickly, and the CDC's travel health page is the most reliable place to check current status.

Frequently Asked Questions: Ebola Airport Screening 2026

Which US airports are conducting Ebola screening?

Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH) are the three designated screening locations.

Who has to go through Ebola screening at the airport?

Any traveler who has been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days, including US citizens and lawful permanent residents. You're also required to enter the US through one of these three airports specifically.

Can non-citizens from affected countries currently enter the US?

No. The CDC has invoked Title 42 to restrict entry for non-US citizens who visited the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days, for at least 30 days from the order's start date.

What does the Ebola screening involve?

A health questionnaire, a temperature check, and a brief in-person assessment if you're showing symptoms. It adds time to your arrival process but is not an intensive medical exam for most travelers.

Is there a vaccine for this Ebola strain?

No. This outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine. That's a key reason the federal response has focused on entry screening and containment.

Does this affect regular travelers flying through Dulles, Atlanta, or Houston?

Not directly. If you haven't been to the affected countries recently, your flight operates as normal. Build in some extra buffer time at customs, as additional processing is underway at all three airports.

How long will the screening requirements stay in place?

The Title 42 entry restrictions were issued for a minimum of 30 days from their start date. The broader screening program will be assessed as the outbreak situation evolves. Check cdc.gov for current status before you fly.