US Implements Mandatory Ebola Health Declaration for Air Arrivals

Effective November 3, 2026, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has mandated a new health attestation requirement for all international air passengers arriving in the U.S. This directive requires travellers to formally declare that they have not been present in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) within the 21 days prior to their arrival. This measure is a proactive public health response aimed at preventing the potential importation of Ebola, following updated health monitoring protocols.

This requirement applies to all passengers, crew, and pilots, regardless of their nationality or final destination within the U.S. Airlines have been instructed to enforce this policy strictly, and failure to provide the required declaration can result in a passenger being denied boarding at their point of origin. The policy reflects the U.S. government's heightened focus on border health security in response to evolving regional health risks.

Every individual travelling to the United States by air from any international location is affected by this mandate. This includes U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and foreign nationals arriving on international flights.

Makutet anticipates that this requirement will lead to increased scrutiny at international check-in counters, potentially causing delays for passengers who are unprepared. We advise travellers to treat this as a standard part of the check-in process for the foreseeable future, as the CDC is unlikely to lift these restrictions until the regional health situation in the DRC is deemed stable.