Ebola Outbreak Response

Columbia University is closely monitoring information and recommendations regarding travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan due to the current Ebola virus outbreak. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the affected individuals and their families and friends. 

Effective May 18, 2026, all University-related travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda will be restricted to essential travel only until further notice. Any proposed essential travel is required to receive review and approval before being allowed to proceed. If you are planning University-related essential travel to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan, please reach out to [email protected] to coordinate the required reviews.

Please email Global Travel at [email protected] if you are planning University-related travel to these countries. 

On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The U.S. Department of State has now issued a Level 4 Travel warning (the highest level of warning), urging all U.S. residents to NOT travel to these countries. 

On May 18, 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and public health measures to prevent Ebola virus disease from entering the United States amid ongoing outbreaks in East and Central Africa.

 

Important Information

  • Ebola is spread person-to-person through direct contact with bodily fluids including infected blood, urine, sweat, semen, organs and breast milk. Ebola can also be spread by exposure to objects (e.g., needles, sharps) contaminated with infected bodily fluids and by exposure to bats, rodents, primates, and consumption of bushmeat. Airborne transmission of the virus has not been documented.
  • Patients with Ebola hemorrhagic fever (HF) are not infectious until the onset of fever.
  • Ebola HF symptoms can appear from 2 to 21 days after exposure to the Ebola virus, with 8-10 days being the most common. Symptoms typically include:
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Myalgias/arthralgias
    • Weakness
    • Diarrhea
    • Vomiting
    • Abdominal pain
  • Some patients may also experience:
    • Rash (nonpruritic, maculopapular)
    • Conjunctival injection
    • Cough/sore throat/difficulty swallowing
    • Pharyngitis/dysphagia/hiccups
    • Chest pain
    • Dyspnea
    • Hemorrhagic symptoms (e.g., conjunctival hemorrhage, easy bruising, GI bleeding)
  • Laboratory abnormalities can include leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis.
  • Patients with severe forms of the disease may develop multi-organ dysfunction, including hepatic damage, renal failure, and central nervous system involvement, leading to shock and death.
  • Pay strict attention to hygiene.
  • Do not participate in high-risk activities such as funerals in outbreak areas. (Do not touch / wash dead bodies.)
  • Avoid hospitals that are treating suspected Ebola cases.
  • Avoid direct contact with sick people and their bodily fluids. This includes items that may have been contaminated with fluids like bedding and clothing.
  • Avoid direct contact with animals, including bats. Both dead and live animals pose a risk.
  • Do not eat bats or "bush meat" from gorillas, monkeys and other primates.
  • If you should require medical attention, call International SOS to be directed to a suitable facility.
  • Do not travel if you are sick. Some locations may implement screening, and travelers may face quarantine and testing.

Travelers returning from affected areas should self-monitor for 21 days after return and telephone ahead before presenting to any medical facility if they become ill. This guidance will be updated as the situation changes. Students should be in touch with campus health services with any questions or concerns: Morningside (212-854-7426); CUIMC (212-305-3400).

On May 18, 2026, CDC and DHS implemented enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and public health measures to prevent Ebola virus disease from entering the United States amid ongoing outbreaks in East and Central Africa. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Effective immediately, the CDC will:

  • Enhance public health screening and traveler monitoring for individuals arriving from areas affected by Ebola outbreaks in the region.
  • Entry restrictions on non-US passport holders if they have been in Uganda, DRC, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days.
  • Coordinate with airlines, international partners, and port-of-entry officials to identify and manage travelers who may have been exposed to Ebola virus.
  • Enhance port health protection response activities, contact tracing, laboratory testing capacity, and hospital readiness nationwide.
  • Continue deployment of CDC personnel to support outbreak containment efforts in affected regions.

 

Travelers entering the U.S. from the affected countries will be re-routed to arrive at: 

  • Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), starting Wednesday, May 20, 2026, after 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), starting Friday, May 22, 2026, after 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
  • George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), starting Tuesday, May 26, 2026, after 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), starting Thursday, May 28, 2026, after 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time

 

For more information, please visit the CDC website, Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas 

Given the fluidity of the situation, please ensure that your most up to date travel itinerary (including accommodation information) is entered into ISOS MyTrips. Doing so will better allow the University to communicate with and sign you up to receive updates for your location.