The United States (US) is temporarily restricting travel for certain passengers who recently visited Uganda, South Sudan and the ​Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in an effort to ‌reduce the risk of Ebola transmission.

The measures are a part of US public health protocols for travelers arriving from areas affected by ​Ebola.

US citizens and US nationals ​who have been present in Uganda or South ⁠Sudan (and not present in DRC) within 21 days ​before arrival in the US will have their air travel ​routed through designated US airports for public health entry screening, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines said on Friday.

The requirement applies even to passengers who only ​transited through Uganda or South Sudan on a ​connecting flight, the CDC and Prevention said.

The agency said ‌travelers, ⁠including US citizens and US nationals, who have been in DRC within 21 days before departure would not be allowed to board commercial flights with US destinations.

Those ​travelers should remain ​outside the ⁠US until 21 days have passed since they left DRC, it said.

Travelers who have ​been in Ebola outbreak-affected provinces in DRC ​may ⁠face additional travel requirements imposed by local authorities before they are permitted to leave the country, according to CDC.

If ⁠Ebola is ​suspected, patients will be transferred ​to a hospital for medical evaluation, isolation and care.

–Reuters–