US Bars Citizens in DR Congo From Direct Return as Ebola Cases Surge

The United States has temporarily barred American citizens in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from travelling directly to the country on commercial flights, citing the worsening Ebola outbreak that continues to spread across parts of the Central African nation.

The travel restriction, introduced by the Trump administration, requires affected US citizens to spend at least 21 days in a third country before they can board a commercial flight to the United States.

According to a White House official, the measure was implemented under a transportation authority known as Title 49, which allows the government to restrict air travel in the interest of public health and safety.

Under the directive, Americans currently in the DRC or those who have recently departed the country have been placed on a "do-not-board" list until they complete the mandatory waiting period.

The decision comes as health authorities continue to battle a growing Ebola outbreak that has spread to several provinces across the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Official figures released late Sunday showed 1,926 confirmed Ebola cases and 702 deaths, underscoring the severity of the outbreak.

Ebola is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or animals. The illness can cause severe fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in serious cases, internal and external bleeding.

A US official said about two dozen American citizens were scheduled to board flights to the United States on Tuesday after travelling to the DRC.

However, under the new restrictions, they will now be required to remain in a third country for 21 days before continuing their journey home.

The US State Department said it would provide assistance to affected Americans during the mandatory waiting period.

Earlier on Monday, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signed an order highlighting the increasing public health risk posed by the outbreak.

According to US health authorities, the virus has spread to areas located just a few hours from Kinshasa, the Congolese capital, raising concerns about wider transmission.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also confirmed last Friday that an American citizen working for a humanitarian organisation in the DRC had tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.

German authorities disclosed that the infected American was transferred to Frankfurt University Hospital early Monday for specialist treatment.

The CDC further revealed that another American aid worker, identified by the Serge Christian mission organisation as Dr. Peter Stafford, contracted Ebola earlier this year and was evacuated to Germany for treatment in May.

The latest travel restrictions reflect growing international efforts to contain the outbreak and prevent cross-border transmission of the virus while health authorities continue surveillance and response operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.