U.S. faces Ebola risk after flight to Detroit scare; CDC takes action

The passenger, a Congolese national who was flying from Paris to Detroit, was removed from the plane after it was diverted to Montreal due to new Ebola-related travel restrictions, the Daily Mail reported.

Officials later determined the passenger was asymptomatic and allowed the flight to continue to Detroit on Wednesday. The traveler then returned to Paris.

The incident comes amid growing concerns about a major Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This requirement applies to travelers who have been to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the past 21 days.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Customs and Border Protection will conduct “enhanced public health screenings” at Dulles, according to a notice issued by U.S. authorities.

Officials warned travelers to prepare for possible itinerary changes or cancellations once the measures take effect.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was “deeply concerned by the scale and speed of the epidemic.”

The outbreak involves a rare strain of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus that has a mortality rate of up to 50 percent, according to health officials.

Concerns are also heightened as the Congolese national men’s football team is scheduled to travel to the United States on June 17 to compete in the FIFA World Cup in Houston. CDC officials said they are “actively working with FIFA” to ensure safe travel arrangements during the tournament and protect public health.

Despite the heightened precautions, the CDC says the overall risk to the American public remains low. Travelers returning from affected areas are advised to monitor for symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, vomiting and unexplained bleeding for 21 days after leaving the area.