The United States has implemented new travel restrictions and screening measures in response to a growing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with American citizens and permanent residents from affected countries now required to fly into one of three designated U.S. airports.

The outbreak has claimed the lives of at least three Red Cross workers who became ill in March and died in May, according to the International Red Cross organization. The workers were described as being among the first known victims of the current outbreak.

The Trump administration has temporarily paused the removal of refugees to the Democratic Republic of Congo during the outbreak, according to reports. However, the administration has indicated it will not return detainees who have already been deported to third countries in the disease-affected region. At least one woman remains in limbo after being moved to Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, with officials now refusing to bring her back due to the Ebola travel ban despite a court order for her return.

The travel restrictions have extended beyond individual passengers to organized groups. The White House has directed Congo's national soccer team, currently in Belgium, to isolate there for 21 days or risk being denied permission to travel to Houston for World Cup activities, according to U.S. officials.

Healthcare workers and aid groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo have issued urgent warnings about the outbreak's rapid spread, expressing concern that the country's fragile healthcare system may struggle to contain the virus. Experts suggest the actual number of cases may exceed confirmed reports, with new strains of the virus and cultural practices around burials and physical contact complicating containment efforts.

U.S. health officials are simultaneously working to combat misinformation about the virus while implementing the enhanced screening and travel measures designed to prevent the disease from reaching American soil.