The United States has announced that beginning November 3, 2026, all passengers flying into the country must confirm they have not visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in the past 21 days.
According to a notice seen by Kenyans.co.ke, passengers must submit digital or paper declarations confirming their travel history as part of US efforts to prevent Ebola from entering the country.
To ensure compliance, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has begun advising major foreign airlines on how to implement the new requirement.
On Thursday, October 22, the CDC directed all airlines to ensure all passengers complete the declaration before boarding, confirming they have not been in the DRC within the previous 21 days.
A scientist conducting m-pox tests at a CDC lab in Kenya
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U.S. CDC Kenya
In its directive, the CDC instructed airlines to deny boarding to any passenger who fails to complete and submit the required declaration.
The airline will be required to retain a copy of the completed version of the attestation for each passenger for at least 42 days after the passenger's flight arrives in the U.S.
“This requirement goes into effect November 3, 2026, at 11:59 pm. The requirement will apply to flights departing to the United States from a foreign country at or after 11:59 pm on November 3, 2026,” the CDC stated.
"The order applies to all air passengers travelling to the United States from any foreign country, including passengers on flights departing from pre-clearance ports," it added.
The new U.S. travel requirement is expected to affect thousands of Kenyans and other foreigners seeking to enter America, who must now declare recent travel to the DRC.
Meanwhile, the announcement comes as Kenya continues to manage an Ebola spread linked to a man who travelled from the DRC through Uganda before arriving in Nairobi on October 3.
According to the Ministry of Health, the patient later died, and infections were subsequently confirmed among nine people who had contact with the deceased, with several others placed in quarantine.
The presence of the virus in Kenya has also triggered travel advisories, with the U.S. recently raising Kenya's rating to Level 3, meaning Americans should reconsider travel to Kenya.
In a travel advisory on Tuesday, October 20, the U.S. Department of State cited health risks brought about by Ebola and security concerns, including terrorism, crime, kidnapping, and unrest.
"Reconsider travel in Kenya due to risks of health, crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and traffic safety. Some areas have increased risk," the advisory read in part.
To prevent further entry or spread of the diseases, the Ministry of Health has intensified health screening at the airports and other entry points amid ongoing contact tracing.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, during a meeting at Afya House, with an inset of an Ebola Virus Bundibugyo Strain under a microscope.
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WHO/Ministry of Health