Ebola Outbreak Response

UPDATE: As of September 29, 2026, Uganda is no longer on the CU Travel Restrictions list. All travelers must comply with the TAPP for any Columbia-related travel. 

Columbia University is closely monitoring information and recommendations regarding travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan due to the current Ebola virus outbreak. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the affected individuals and their families and friends. 

Effective May 18, 2026, all University-related travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda will be restricted to essential travel only until further notice. Any proposed essential travel is required to receive review and approval before being allowed to proceed. If you are planning University-related essential travel to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan, please reach out to [email protected] to coordinate the required reviews.

Please email GRSO at [email protected] if you are planning University-related travel to these countries. 

On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The U.S. Department of State has now issued a Level 4 Travel warning (the highest level of warning), urging all U.S. residents to NOT travel to these countries. 

On May 18, 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and public health measures to prevent Ebola virus disease from entering the United States amid ongoing outbreaks in East and Central Africa.

 

Important Information

  • Ebola is spread person-to-person through direct contact with bodily fluids including infected blood, urine, sweat, semen, organs and breast milk. Ebola can also be spread by exposure to objects (e.g., needles, sharps) contaminated with infected bodily fluids and by exposure to bats, rodents, primates, and consumption of bushmeat. Airborne transmission of the virus has not been documented.
  • Patients with Ebola hemorrhagic fever (HF) are not infectious until the onset of fever.
  • Ebola HF symptoms can appear from 2 to 21 days after exposure to the Ebola virus, with 8-10 days being the most common. Symptoms typically include:
    • Fever
    • Headache
    • Myalgias/arthralgias
    • Weakness
    • Diarrhea
    • Vomiting
    • Abdominal pain
  • Some patients may also experience:
    • Rash (nonpruritic, maculopapular)
    • Conjunctival injection
    • Cough/sore throat/difficulty swallowing
    • Pharyngitis/dysphagia/hiccups
    • Chest pain
    • Dyspnea
    • Hemorrhagic symptoms (e.g., conjunctival hemorrhage, easy bruising, GI bleeding)
  • Laboratory abnormalities can include leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and transaminitis.
  • Patients with severe forms of the disease may develop multi-organ dysfunction, including hepatic damage, renal failure, and central nervous system involvement, leading to shock and death.
  • Pay strict attention to hygiene.
  • Do not participate in high-risk activities such as funerals in outbreak areas. (Do not touch / wash dead bodies.)
  • Avoid hospitals that are treating suspected Ebola cases.
  • Avoid direct contact with sick people and their bodily fluids. This includes items that may have been contaminated with fluids like bedding and clothing.
  • Avoid direct contact with animals, including bats. Both dead and live animals pose a risk.
  • Do not eat bats or "bush meat" from gorillas, monkeys and other primates.
  • If you should require medical attention, call International SOS to be directed to a suitable facility.
  • Do not travel if you are sick. Some locations may implement screening, and travelers may face quarantine and testing.

Travelers returning from affected areas should self-monitor for 21 days after return and telephone ahead before presenting to any medical facility if they become ill. This guidance will be updated as the situation changes. Students should be in touch with campus health services with any questions or concerns: Morningside (212-854-7426); CUIMC (212-305-3400).

U.S. entry for travelers who were recently in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is temporarily restricted. Travelers, including Americans, who have been in DRC within 21 days of their flight will not be allowed to board commercial flights with U.S. destinations. All U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been in DRC should plan to remain outside DRC for 21 days before entering the United States. This includes all passengers with an intermediate stop in DRC or on multi-stop itineraries via DRC regardless of whether they disembark or stay on the airplane.

U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been present in Uganda or South Sudan (and not present in DRC) within 21 days of arrival in the United States must only enter through designated airports for enhanced screening. (Centers for Disease Control)

 

For more information, please visit the CDC website, Travelers Returning from Ebola-Affected Areas 

Given the fluidity of the situation, please ensure that your most up to date travel itinerary (including accommodation information) is entered into Crisis24 Horizon. Doing so will better allow the University to communicate with and sign you up to receive updates for your location.