CDC Continues Suspension Order for Certain Travelers from Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan

September 3, 2026 Update — The U.S. has removed Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) from the list of designated airports handling travelers subject to Ebola-related arrival restrictions, while screening measures remain in place at Washington Dulles, Atlanta and New York JFK.

• On September 3, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection updated its list of designated airports for travelers arriving from certain countries impacted by an ongoing Ebola outbreak.
• On July 16, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an order continuing the suspension of the right to introduce certain non-U.S. citizens who have recently been present in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or South Sudan into the U.S. through August 12, 2026.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an Order Continuing the Suspension of the Right to Introduce Certain Persons from Countries Where a Quarantinable Communicable Disease Exists.  

The CDC will publish the Order in the Federal Register on July 16, 2026, extending by 30 days the public health measures implemented in response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The Order took effect on July 13, 2026, and will remain in effect through August 12, 2026, unless the CDC modifies or extends it.

The Order applies to certain non-U.S. citizens who have departed from or were otherwise present within the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan during the previous 21 days, regardless of nationality.   

Why the Extension? 

According to the CDC, the conditions that supported the original suspension remain present and continue to pose a risk of introducing communicable disease into the U.S. through international travel. As a result, the agency determined that continuation of the Order is necessary to protect public health while it conducts an ongoing assessment of the outbreak and associated risks.  

What Employers and Foreign Nationals Should Know 

Foreign nationals who have recently traveled through affected countries or regions may continue to face U.S. entry restrictions and enhanced public health measures. Employers with personnel traveling internationally should continue to review travel plans carefully and monitor developments that could impact employee mobility and business travel.

Organizations with employees in impacted regions should also be prepared for potential travel disruptions, processing delays and additional screening requirements associated with ongoing public health precautions.  

Background 

The continued Order builds on a series of U.S. government actions taken in response to the 2026 Ebola outbreak. In May 2026, the CDC published an interim final rule establishing a framework that allows the U.S. government to suspend entry from designated countries or regions when necessary to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. 

Shortly thereafter, the U.S. government paused visa services in Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan and implemented related travel measures, including arrival restrictions, enhanced screening requirements and a CDC suspension order affecting certain travelers from those countries.  

The newly issued CDC Order continues these public health measures while U.S. authorities monitor ongoing disease conditions and international travel risks. 

Don’t Miss an Update

At Envoy Global, we combine smart, friendly legal teams with smart, friendly technology to facilitate immigration for companies and the global talent they depend on. Our holistic, proactive immigration services are built for accuracy and efficiency, always putting people first.

Reach out today to learn how we can support your company’s immigration needs.