The U.S. Department of State Just Issued a Travel Advisory and the Public Is Concerned

The U.S. Department of State has issued a new travel advisory following an Ebola outbreak in Africa.

"The Department of State strongly urges Americans not to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, or Uganda for any reason and to reconsider travel to Rwanda due to the Ebola Bundibugyo Virus disease outbreak in the region," read the advisory, posted on social media on Tuesday, May 19. "The Department's Travel Advisories for DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda are now Level 4 – Do Not Travel, and the Travel Advisory for Rwanda is Level 3 – Reconsider Travel."

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency after more than 130 deaths thought to be linked to the outbreak. Ebola is severe and often fatal, with symptoms progressing rapidly after onset.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ebola can be spread person to person and can be transmitted if a person's "broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth come in contact with: Blood or body fluids from a person who is sick or has died from Ebola disease. Body fluids include urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, breast milk, and amniotic fluid." The infectious disease can also be transmitted if someone comes in contact with things like "clothes, bedding, needles, and medical equipment" and also via semen.

After reading the new travel advisory, many people wondered what was being done about people living in the "Level 4 - Do Not Travel" countries who might want to visit the U.S. Despite the concern, it seems there's action being taken.

The CDC said that people without U.S. passports who have traveled to any of the aforementioned countries within the past 21 days will face new restrictions when entering the United States.

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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 2:03 PM.