Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
The Trump administration announced Monday that it is imposing new travel restrictions and enhanced screening measures in response to a growing Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa that has killed at least 80 people, according to the World Health Organization.
Under the new policy, individuals who do not hold U.S. passports and who have traveled within the last 21 days to Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan will be barred from entering the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced.
The CDC said the measures took effect immediately and are expected to remain in place for at least 30 days while officials monitor the outbreak.
The restrictions do not apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents or U.S. military personnel, according to the agency.
Federal health officials also announced expanded public health screening procedures for travelers arriving from affected regions. The CDC said it would work with airlines, international health partners and U.S. port-of-entry officials to identify people who may have been exposed to the virus.
According to sources with international aid organizations cited by CBS News, at least six Americans were exposed to Ebola in Congo, though it remains unclear whether any were infected or whether they are still in the country.
The CDC emphasized that the current outbreak presents a “low immediate risk” to the general public in the United States.
“We will continue to evaluate the evolving situation and may adjust public health measures as additional information becomes available,” the agency said in a statement.
Ebola is a highly contagious and often deadly virus that spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected individuals. Previous outbreaks in Africa have prompted travel advisories, emergency health screenings and international response efforts aimed at containing transmission.
