The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has introduced a new screening requirement for international passengers traveling to the United States. According to a memo reported by Reuters, travelers must now certify that they have not visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the three weeks prior to their arrival. This 21-day window corresponds to the known incubation period of the Ebola virus.

The policy is a direct response to the current Ebola outbreak occurring in the DRC. By requiring this certification, federal health officials aim to monitor and potentially mitigate the risk of the virus entering the U.S. through international air travel. While the CDC has not yet released a comprehensive public health strategy detailing how this information will be verified at ports of entry, the mandate represents a heightened level of caution regarding the spread of the disease.

Currently, there is no public disagreement regarding the necessity of this measure, though the scope of the enforcement remains to be seen. The requirement applies specifically to foreign travelers, though the CDC has not clarified if similar self-reporting measures will be requested of U.S. citizens returning from the same region. As the situation in the DRC evolves, health agencies continue to evaluate whether additional travel restrictions or screening protocols are required to protect domestic public health.