Clinical Scorecard: CDC mandates Ebola attestation for US-bound flights
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Condition | Ebola disease risk associated with recent presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) |
| Key Mechanisms | The order uses a 21-day travel-history attestation, corresponding to Ebola disease’s maximum incubation period, to reduce the risk of introduction through air travel. |
| Target Population | All individuals aboard covered flights to the United States, including US citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents, foreign travelers, operating crew, and deadhead personnel. |
| Care Setting | International air travel to the United States; airlines and aircraft operators verify attestations before boarding. |
Key Highlights
- The requirement takes effect November 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST, and is scheduled to remain in effect until December 18, 2026, unless changed.
- Travelers must attest that they were not physically present in the DRC during the preceding 21 days; presence includes transit and airport connections.
- The order covers commercial, private, and general aviation flights, including flights connecting through the United States to other destinations.
- Travelers who have been in the DRC may board beginning on Day 22 after departure, with departure counted as Day 0.
- Operators must verify attestations before boarding, retain them for at least 42 days after arrival, and provide them to federal authorities upon request.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Management
- Passengers must complete a paper or electronic attestation confirming they were not physically present in the DRC during the previous 21 days.
- Airlines and aircraft operators must prevent boarding without a valid attestation unless a US government exemption applies.
- Travelers who have been in the DRC must remain outside the United States for 21 days after departure; eligible travelers may board on Day 22 if they meet other travel requirements.
- Parents or authorized adults must complete attestations for travelers younger than 18; an authorized representative may complete one for a person unable to sign because of a disability.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Operators must retain completed attestations for at least 42 days after arrival and provide them to federal authorities upon request.
Risks
- Knowingly providing false information may result in federal prosecution, criminal fines, or imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. § 1001.
- Exemptions may include government-authorized transportation of patients with Ebola disease or CDC-granted exceptions for humanitarian or other important government considerations.
Patient & Prescribing Data
All travelers and personnel aboard covered flights departing foreign countries for the United States at or after the effective time.
This is a travel attestation and boarding restriction, not a treatment protocol. The 21-day period is based on the maximum Ebola disease incubation period.
Clinical Best Practices
- Count any physical presence in the DRC, including air, land, or sea transit and airport connections, toward the travel-history restriction.
- For the 21-day period after leaving the DRC, count the departure date as Day 0 and the first full calendar day outside the country as Day 1.
- Confirm that an attestation is completed before boarding; apply only exemptions authorized by the US government.
Related Resources & Content
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