Traveling to the United States from Rwanda

Overview

There is currently a Marburg outbreak in Rwanda.

You can get Marburg through direct contact with blood or body fluids (saliva, semen, sweat, feces, vomit, and other bodily fluids) of a person who is sick with or has died from Marburg. You can also get Marburg from contact with a type of fruit bat found in Africa or the bats' body fluids.

Marburg symptoms include:

• Fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher) or feeling feverish
• Chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Rash
• Chest pain
• Sore throat
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Bleeding or bruising (not caused by injury) can appear later in the illness.

During travel

If you develop Marburg symptoms during your flight, notify a crew member immediately.

Arriving in the United States

CDC is implementing enhanced public health entry screening to identify air travelers entering the United States who might have Marburg symptoms or may have come in contact with the virus that causes Marburg while in Rwanda. The screening will take place at three U.S. airports:

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
• Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
• Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia

Traveler screening began October 16, 2024. While screening is taking place, if you have been in Rwanda in the 21 days before your scheduled flight arrival date to the U.S., your airline will work with you to rebook your travel to one of these airports.

On arrival in the United States, you will be directed to an area of the airport set aside for public health screening.

• Your contact information will be confirmed.
• Trained CDC staff will:
  • Observe you for visible signs of illness
  • Take your temperature with a noncontact thermometer (a thermometer that doesn't touch the person whose temperature is being taken)
  • Ask you a few health and exposure questions
• If you have a fever or other symptoms, or the health questionnaire reveals possible Marburg exposure, you will be further assessed by a CDC medical officer.
  • If the medical officer determines you need symptom monitoring, you will be referred to the appropriate public health authority.
  • If you have symptoms of illness and Marburg is suspected, you may be referred to a hospital for medical evaluation.
• If you do not have symptoms or a known history of exposure to the virus that causes Marburg, you will receive information about how to monitor yourself for Marburg symptoms and what to do if you get sick.

After travel

Watch your health for Marburg symptoms until 21 days after you left Rwanda. Take your temperature if you feel sick.

• CDC will use an automated system to send you general Marburg health text messages.
• The messages will remind you to watch your health until 21 days after you left Rwanda and what to do if you get sick.

What to do if you get sick after travel

If you develop symptoms of Marburg:

• Separate yourself from others (isolate) immediately.
• Call your health department for advice about medical care. Tell the health department about your recent travel from Rwanda and your symptoms so they can identify the best healthcare facility for you to go to, if needed. If you need healthcare, the health department can help the facility prepare to provide care for you and take any precautions needed to protect staff and other patients.
• If you can't reach your health department, call a healthcare provider. Tell them your symptoms and that you were recently in Rwanda, where there is a Marburg outbreak. Calling ahead before going to a healthcare facility helps the facility prepare for your arrival, including contacting the health department and taking any precautions needed.
• Do not travel or take public transportation.
  • Travel only when you have been cleared by a doctor or public health official.
  • Stay home and away from others except to go to a healthcare facility, if told to by the health department or a healthcare provider.