The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday announced travel restrictions and enhanced screening measures aimed at preventing an Ebola outbreak in central and east Africa from spreading to the U.S.
The outbreak, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, was declared a public health emergency by the World Health Organization after about 90 people died. The CDC said the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low and that no cases in the U.S. have been confirmed.
Under a temporary public health order, non-U.S. passport holders who have recently been in those countries may face entry restrictions for the next 30 days, the CDC said.
Also, the agency said it would enhance public health screening and traveler monitoring for individuals arriving from affected areas and would coordinate with airlines, international partners and port-of-entry officials to identify and manage travelers who may have been exposed to the virus.
The CDC in addition said it would enhance port health protection response activities, contact tracing, laboratory testing capacity and hospital readiness nationwide.
The outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola can incubate for up to 21 days before symptoms appear, the CDC said. The agency has deployed CDC personnel to support outbreak containment efforts in affected regions.