The key facts

  • Starting November 3, 2026, the CDC requires all passengers flying to the US, including transit passengers, to complete a declaration confirming 21 days without presence in the DRC
  • Transit through an airport in the DRC counts as presence in the country, even if the passenger did not leave the aircraft
  • According to WHO data as of October 20, the DRC has 9,704 cases of infection and 4,687 deaths (a case fatality rate of 48.3%)

New rules for passengers in the United States

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will require a mandatory declaration (Attestation) from all passengers flying to the United States from foreign countries, including transit passengers, starting November 3, 2026. This was reported by the press service of Uzbekistan Airways and Uzbek media outlets, citing the CDC. Every passenger must fill out and sign a paper or electronic declaration confirming that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 21 days before departure. The 21-day period, as the CDC explained, corresponds to the maximum incubation period of Ebola fever.

What passengers need to know

The requirement applies to everyone, including children: for passengers under 18, the declaration is filled out and signed by a parent, guardian, or authorized person; for passengers unable to complete the document themselves due to health conditions, it is done by close relatives or a travel agent. Transit through an airport in the DRC counts as presence in the country, even if the passenger did not leave the aircraft or the airport; flying through DRC airspace without landing is not covered by the rule. Passengers without a declaration will be denied boarding, and knowingly false information may lead to criminal liability under US law — including fines and imprisonment for up to one year. Airlines are required to keep the collected declarations for at least 42 days and hand them over to the US government for contact tracing.

Context of the outbreak and recommendations

The measure is linked to the Ebola fever outbreak in the DRC caused by the Bundibugyo virus. According to WHO data as of October 20, the country has recorded 9,704 cases of infection and 4,687 deaths (a case fatality rate of 48.3%). The virus is spreading across the region: Kenya has 9 cases and 1 death, and Nigeria has 1 imported case. At the same time, WHO does not recommend imposing restrictions on trade and travel with the affected countries. Uzbekistan Airways advised passengers to review the requirements in advance and prepare the declaration before arriving at the airport; the form is available on the CDC website.