Location: Rwanda / United States
Event: At 11:59 ET October 15, all U.S.-bound passengers departing from Rwanda will be routed to one of the following designated airports: New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), or Washington, DC (IAD) for enhanced traveler health entry screening. The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will apply new layers of screening at these three U.S. airports in response to the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda, which the Rwandan Ministry of Health declared on September 27, 2024. This applies to all passengers, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and visa holders (to include Diplomatic and Official visas).
U.S. officials are working with airlines to ensure carriers will rebook affected passengers who had planned to enter the United States through other airports.
Travelers departing Rwanda must complete the Marburg Symptom Screening Questionnaire within 24 hours of departure and may be subject to additional health screenings. Travelers may experience delays.
Out of an abundance of caution, the U.S. Embassy in Kigali is closed to the public through October 18, 2024. All non-emergency services at the U.S. Embassy during this period will be suspended, including American Citizen Services and visa interviews.
Actions to Take:
- Read the Department of Health and Human Services Fact Sheet on HHS Actions to Support Response to Marburg Outbreak in Rwanda.
- If you are planning to travel to the United States, contact your airline to confirm your flight and route.
- Visit the CDC Travel Notice on Marburg in Rwanda, which has information on the outbreak.
- Review the State Department’s Travel Advisory for Rwanda.
- Learn more about the signs and symptoms of Marburg Virus Disease as well as risk factors.
- Travelers should separate themselves from others (isolate) and seek medical care immediately if they develop fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, rash, sore throat, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising during or after travel (up to 21 days). When able, travelers should call ahead before going to a healthcare facility and tell the healthcare facility that they’ve been to an area with MVD.
- Check with your travel insurance provider on evacuation options should you fall ill while in Rwanda.
- U.S. citizens in Rwanda as well as potential travelers should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov to receive important emergency information as well as monitor local news, including updates from Rwanda’s Ministry of Health.
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