As noted in the community message on May 20, 2026, Georgetown has suspended university-related travel for all of its students, faculty and staff to the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan. Community members currently in the affected countries, those planning to travel there or those planning to return to a Georgetown campus after being in those areas within the past 21 days must be screened by public health authorities upon return. Individuals directed to quarantine by public health officials are not approved to access Georgetown campuses or facilities until their quarantine period ends, and should contact publichealth@georgetown.edu. Any community members planning to host a visitor at a Georgetown campus or facility who has traveled to an impacted country within 21 days should seek guidance from publichealth@georgetown.edu before the visit occurs. For more information, please see Georgetown’s policy regarding travel to or from areas experiencing infectious disease outbreaks.
On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The illnesses were identified as Ebola Bundibugyo (Bun-dee-BOO-joh) virus. The CDC assesses the overall risk to the American public and travelers as low at this time.
Overview
According to the WHO, Ebola disease is a severe illness with a case fatality rate around 50%. It can be caused by four different viruses: Ebola virus, Sudan virus, Tai Forest virus and Bundibugyo virus. Early, intensive supportive care with rehydration and symptom treatment increases survival rates. Vaccines and targeted treatments are only available for one of the viruses, the Ebola virus, causing Ebola disease. Transmission occurs with direct contact with the blood or body fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from Ebola disease, or direct contact with objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with body fluids from a person who is sick with or has died from the disease. Transmission does not occur prior to symptom onset, and infected individuals remain infectious as long as their blood contains the virus.
The incubation period, which is the interval from infection to onset of symptoms, varies from two to 21 days. Initial symptoms can include fever, fatigue, malaise, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. These symptoms can be followed by vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash and symptoms of impaired kidney and liver functions. Bleeding is a less frequent symptom, but it can occur later in the disease.
Current Status and Travel Precautions
As of July 23, 2026, U.S. entry for travelers who were recently in the Democratic Republic of Congo is temporarily restricted. Travelers who have been in the DRC within 21 days of their flight will not be allowed to board commercial flights with U.S. destinations. Anyone who has been in the DRC should plan to remain outside the DRC for 21 days before entering the U.S..
U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been present in Uganda or South Sudan within 21 days of arrival to the U.S. must only enter through designated airports for enhanced screening. Travelers without symptoms will receive information about monitoring their health for 21 days after leaving the affected country. Travelers with symptoms that could be Ebola will receive additional evaluation by a CDC public health officer. If the assessment shows that a traveler may be sick with Ebola, the traveler will be transferred to a hospital for medical evaluation, isolation, and care.
For more information, consult the U.S Department of State’s resources for help abroad.