Atlanta, Houston airports can receive passengers from 3 countries amid Ebola outbreak

May 24, 2026 - 00:13

Airline passengers arriving in the United States who have recently visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan will now be routed through three specific airports for health monitoring. The designated entry points are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, and Washington Dulles International Airport outside the capital.

Under the new directive, any traveler who has been in one of those three countries within the past 21 days must land at one of these facilities for enhanced screening. The move is a response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, though U.S. health officials stress the risk to the American public remains low.

The screenings will include temperature checks, a review of symptoms, and a brief health questionnaire. Travelers who show no signs of illness will be allowed to continue to their final destinations, but they will be asked to monitor themselves for symptoms and report any changes. Those who display potential symptoms will be isolated and evaluated by medical staff.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention selected these three airports because they handle the bulk of passenger traffic from the affected region. Officials say the goal is to catch any potential cases early without causing widespread disruption to air travel. The screening process is expected to be thorough but efficient, with the aim of balancing public health safety with the needs of international travelers.