US Issues Travel Warnings for DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, and Rwanda Amid Ebola Outbreak

As the ongoing Ebola outbreak in central Africa continues to claim victims and concern experts, the United States Department of State has issued several travel warnings to countries in the region, urging residents not to visit.

The State Department maintains an updated library of travel advisories for every foreign nation, ranging from Level 1 –“Exercise normal precautions”–to Level 4–“Do Not Travel.” This week, the department has announced three Level 4 warnings and one Level 3.

Which countries did the State Department issue warnings for?

The State Department bumped up the advisory level to Level 4 for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the Ebola outbreak originated, and Uganda, telling citizens not to go there “for any reason.”

Additionally, the department reissued a “Do Not Travel” warning for South Sudan, which was already at a Level 4 and now has health concerns due to Ebola. Lastly, the nation of Rwanda was elevated from Level 2 to Level 3 (“Reconsider travel”) due to the outbreak.

The latest on the Ebola crisis

Reports on Tuesday indicated that at least 131 people have died and more than 530 infected by the Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak, with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus saying he was “deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic.”

Global health officials added that the current outbreak could last for months. First identified in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ebola can cause serious illness, with mortality rates as high as 80-to-90% depending on treatment, risk factors and the type of strain.

In addition to announcing several travel warnings, the State Department also said it would be funding up to 50 response clinics for the disease.

“The United States is committing to rapidly supporting the Ebola outbreak response by funding up to 50 treatment clinics, and associated frontline costs being established in Ebola-affected regions of the DRC and Uganda” the State Department said.

“This U.S. funding commitment will accelerate the delivery of frontline medical care, life-saving humanitarian assistance, and critical outbreak response capabilities to communities at greatest risk.”

This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on May 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.