United States expands Ebola screening to Atlanta Airport amid rising concerns

Saturday 23 May 2026 - 18:00

The United States has expanded its enhanced Ebola screening program to include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as authorities respond to ongoing concerns over outbreaks in Africa.

The decision means that travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan will now be screened at a second major entry point in addition to Washington Dulles International Airport. Health officials said the expansion aims to strengthen monitoring of passengers potentially exposed to the virus.

Atlanta airport already has established health screening procedures in place and is considered well-equipped to handle enhanced public health checks. The CDC emphasized that these measures are part of a broader strategy that includes exit screening in affected countries, airline reporting of illness, and post-arrival health monitoring.

The move comes as the World Health Organization reports dozens of confirmed Ebola cases and hundreds of suspected infections linked to the current outbreak strain in the region.

Authorities in the United States have also recently introduced travel restrictions affecting non-citizens who have been in affected countries, reflecting growing caution as health agencies work to prevent potential spread of the disease.

Officials stress that the risk to the general public remains low, but continued surveillance is essential to contain outbreaks and prevent international transmission.