The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a program to recruit workforce volunteers for conducting Ebola screenings at domestic airports, according to Bloomberg Law. The initiative follows the CDC’s announcement of enhanced screening measures at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport beginning May 20, 2026.

The CDC stated that effective May 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), public health entry screenings would target travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, and Uganda. Operations expanded to include Atlanta International Airport (ATL) at 11:59 PM EDT on May 22, 2026. The CDC’s Port Health Protection system operates continuously—24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year—to support these measures.

Travelers who have been in the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda within 21 days prior to U.S. arrival will be escorted to designated screening areas where they must answer health questions and undergo potential additional assessments. The CDC has prioritized “CDCReady Responders” for this expanded screening capacity, per an internal email viewed by Bloomberg News.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously directed all flights carrying U.S. citizens who recently visited the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan to arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). As of May 21, 2026, all U.S.-bound American citizens and lawful permanent residents who were present in those countries within 21 days must enter through IAD for enhanced screening.

The CDC reported that the DRC has documented 83 confirmed Ebola infections and nine deaths as of May 23, though suspected cases and fatalities number 746 and 176, respectively. Uganda has recorded five confirmed cases and one death. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease an international public health emergency on May 17, noting a “very high” national risk level in affected regions, “high” regional risk, and “low” global risk.

Scientists are working to contain the Bundibugyo virus, which causes Ebola and lacks a vaccine. Symptoms include fever, generalized body pain, weakness, vomiting, and in some cases, bleeding. The CDC emphasized that public health entry screening serves as part of its layered prevention strategy to slow potential disease spread into the United States.