US to Require Ebola Declaration From All US-Bound Air Passengers From November 3, CDC Says

All air passengers flying to the United States will have to confirm, on a signed declaration before boarding, that they have not visited the Democratic Republic of Congo in the previous 21 days, under a new CDC requirement beginning November 3, Reuters reported — as the Ebola outbreak that began in Congo in mid-May has reached four African countries.

Awaaz Punjab Investigations Desk23 October 20263 min readRead in all 3 languages

International travellers flying to the United States will face a new health screening requirement beginning November 3, 2026, as federal officials strengthen measures to prevent the spread of Ebola, Reuters reported on Friday.

Source: Reuters

According to Reuters, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require all US-bound air passengers to confirm they have not visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the previous 21 days. Travellers must submit a signed declaration electronically or on paper before boarding.

Source: Reuters

Airways Magazine, reviewing the CDC's signed order and technical instructions, said the order is scheduled to run until December 18, 2026, unless rescinded or modified earlier, that operators must retain the declarations for at least 42 days and provide them to the US government on request, and that it counts the departure day as Day 0 and permits boarding a US-bound flight on Day 22.

Source: Airways Magazine

The new requirement follows restrictions introduced earlier this year after the Ebola outbreak in the DRC. Those measures prevent travellers who recently visited the country, including US citizens, from boarding commercial flights to the United States, Reuters reported, and additional entry restrictions apply to certain foreign nationals who recently travelled to Uganda or South Sudan.

Source: Reuters

The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, and African health authorities have confirmed approximately 4,700 deaths linked to it, Reuters reported. In its October 22 outbreak update, the CDC said no Ebola cases associated with this outbreak had been reported in the United States and that the overall risk to the American public and travellers remained low, Airways Magazine reported.

Source: Reuters / Airways Magazine

Yaani: the rule does not ban travel — it means every passenger on a US-bound flight, including Punjabi and Indian travellers connecting through other countries, will have to sign one extra form before boarding from November 3. Airlines were being briefed by the CDC on October 23 about compliance, Reuters reported.

Source: Reuters

Nov 3, 2026New declaration requirement begins

21 daysLook-back period for a DR Congo visit

Dec 18, 2026Order scheduled to run until, unless changed

~4,700Deaths linked to the outbreak, African health authorities (Reuters)

Sources

Reuters — U.S. Announces New Ebola Screening Requirement for International Air Travelers (Oct 23): https://www.kboi.com/2026/10/23/u-s-announces-new-ebola-screening-requirement-for-international-air-travelers/

Airways Magazine — CDC Adds Ebola Declaration for U.S.-Bound Air Passengers, signed order details (Oct 23): https://airwaysmag.com/new-post/cdc-ebola-declaration-us-bound-air-passengers