CDC expands Ebola screening to four U.S. airports as travel rules tighten

Federal Ebola screening rules are now affecting a small slice of international travel into the United States. CDC says the outbreak response is precautionary: no Ebola cases tied to this outbreak have been confirmed in the U.S., and the agency says the risk to the American public remains low.

The practical change is where some travelers can land and how they are processed on arrival. Under CDC and DHS measures, people who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days may be routed through designated U.S. airports for enhanced public health screening.

CDC lists four airports for that screening: Washington-Dulles, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, George Bush Intercontinental in Houston, and John F. Kennedy in New York. The agency says screening can include a short questionnaire, a temperature check with a non-contact thermometer, observation by CDC staff, and possible follow-up by public health officials.

Travelers without symptoms are generally allowed to continue to their final destination after screening, but they are told to monitor their health for 21 days after leaving affected countries. Travelers who have fever or other concerning symptoms can be referred for additional evaluation and, if needed, hospital isolation.

The federal order issued May 22 is temporary and currently set to run for 30 days while CDC completes a public health risk assessment and coordinates with partner agencies. For airlines, that can mean rebooking passengers and changing connections. For travelers, it can mean longer itineraries and more follow-up after landing. The key thing to watch is whether CDC or DHS extends or revises the rules before the temporary order expires.

Sources

• CDC — Guidance for returning travelers
• Federal Register — Amended Ebola travel order, May 22, 2026