U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Transportation Security Administration
6595 Springfield Center Drive
Springfield, Virginia 20598
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INFORMATION CIRCULAR
NUMBER IC 26-06A
SUBJECT Ebola Notification to Passengers
EFFECTIVE DATE September 22, 2026
EXPIRATION DATE September 21, 2027
SUPERSEDES IC 26-06
APPLICABILITY Aircraft operators regulated under 49 CFR 1544.101; and
Foreign air carriers regulated under 49 CFR 1546.101
LOCATIONS All
PURPOSE AND GENERAL INFORMATION
On September 11, 2026, to protect the interests of the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an updated Order restricting entry into the United States of persons who have been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan during the preceding 21 days. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing this Information Circular (IC), in accordance with 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 1544 and 1546, to protect the United States from the serious risk posed by the introduction of Ebola into the United States based on the emergent outbreak of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. Although the recommended measures in this IC are voluntary, not implementing them may have cascading public health, economic, national security, and societal consequences that may force TSA to issue mandatory measures.
RECOMMENDED MEASURES
A.
To assist the traveling public in adhering to the restrictions imposed by the CDC on passengers arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan, aircraft operators and foreign air carriers may post, at the time of booking, the following message onto their reservations system:
To reduce the risk of Ebola importation into the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is temporarily restricting U.S. entry for travelers who were recently in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Travelers, including Americans, who have been in the DRC within 21 days of their flight will not be allowed to board commercial flights with destinations to the United States. All U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been in the DRC should plan to remain outside the DRC for 21 days before entering the United States.
Information Circular IC 26-06A
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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. Non-U.S. citizens/nationals must remain outside of Uganda, South Sudan, and DRC for 21 days before entering the United States. Please review the CDC’s information on what travelers need to know about returning to the Unted States from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, for the list of designated airports, and for health information about Ebola.
Americans who need consular assistance can visit Additional Consular Information for Americans Regarding the Ebola Outbreak or call the Department of State:
· +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad)
· +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada)
For travelers who have been outside of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan for more than 21 days and need assistance with a public health travel restriction, please contact Ebola-Travel-HELP@hq.dhs.gov.
The message may also be posted on the air carrier’s website as a travel alert or similar communication.
The hyperlinks in the message above correspond to the following web addresses:
•
https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/returning-travelers.html
•
https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/global-events/ebola_additional_information.html
B.
Aircraft operators and foreign air carriers are reminded to follow the “Do Not Board” procedures described in their TSA approved or accepted standard security program as appropriate.
C.
Aircraft operators and foreign air carriers are requested to notify their respective Principal Security Specialist or International Industry Representative when they have posted the above message in their reservation systems or on their websites.
Serena M. Reynolds
Acting Assistant Administrator
Strategy, Policy & Engagement
Transportation Security Administration