Enhanced Entry Airport Screening and Routing for Ebola to End for Travelers from Guinea to the U.S.

On Feb. 19, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) removed Guinea from the list of nations affected by Ebola for which travelers are subject to enhanced U.S. visa and port-of-entry screening. When Guinea is removed from enhanced entry screening, travelers from that country to the United States will no longer be routed through designated U.S. airports and will be able to enter the country through any available port of entry. Guinea will be the last of the affected countries in West Africa to be removed from enhanced entry screening measures.

Travelers departing Guinea will remain subject to outbound screening measures, and the United States will continue to support Guinea’s Ebola prevention and detection measures, including at its primary international airport in Conakry. Travelers from Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone are still encouraged to watch their health for 21 days after leaving one of these countries and to contact their local health departments or seek healthcare if they develop symptoms consistent with Ebola.

On Dec. 29, 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Guinea free of Ebola virus transmission. This date marked 42 days (two 21-day incubation periods) after the last known patient with Ebola tested negative twice for Ebola. As of Feb. 19, 2016, more than 45 days have passed since WHO declared Guinea free of Ebola virus transmission. Guinea was the last country in the region to reach that milestone.

Source: CDC