Washington, D.C. (Running Africa) — The United States has imposed new Ebola travel restrictions on American citizens departing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), prohibiting direct commercial flights to the US as authorities step up efforts to prevent the virus from crossing international borders.

Under the new policy, US citizens leaving the DRC will be placed on a “do-not-board” list and required to spend 21 days in a third country before they are permitted to travel to the United States.

The restrictions come as the Ebola outbreak in the DRC continues to escalate, with nearly 2,000 confirmed cases and more than 700 deaths reported across several eastern provinces, making it one of the country’s most severe outbreaks in recent years.

US Tightens Measures to Prevent Ebola Spread

US officials said the travel restrictions are intended to reduce the risk of Ebola being imported into the country while supporting broader international efforts to contain the outbreak at its source.

However, some public health experts have questioned the policy, describing it as an unprecedented measure that could complicate international outbreak response efforts by making it more difficult for aid workers, humanitarian personnel and affected individuals to travel.

Kenya Quarantine Centre Sparks Protests

As part of its wider Ebola response strategy, the United States is also constructing a quarantine facility in Kenya for American citizens who may have been exposed to the virus.

The proposal has sparked protests in the town of Nanyuki, where local residents have raised concerns about infection risks, transparency and the potential impact on surrounding communities.

Demonstrations have reportedly turned violent in recent weeks, with fatalities and injuries reported during clashes between protesters and security forces.

Although Kenya has not recorded any Ebola cases, the planned quarantine center has become a source of regional debate as governments strengthen preparedness measures against the outbreak.

Regional Surveillance Intensifies

The Ebola outbreak has already spread beyond the DRC into neighboring Uganda, while health authorities are closely monitoring South Sudan because of cross-border travel and population movement.

US officials said Washington remains committed to supporting the international Ebola response while implementing measures aimed at protecting public health and reducing the risk of the virus reaching the United States.

The latest restrictions underscore growing global concern over containing one of Africa’s largest Ebola outbreaks before it spreads further across the region and beyond.