The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a crucial 30-day extension for public comment on its revised information collection pertaining to "2026 Ebola Entry Screening, Monitoring, & Traveler Feedback." This move, published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2026, underscores the federal government's continued vigilance against the international spread of communicable diseases, particularly in light of an ongoing Ebola outbreak. The collection is vital for the CDC's efforts to safeguard public health by screening and monitoring travelers from affected regions.
Responding to an Active Outbreak
This renewed call for public input arrives as the nation grapples with the implications of an Ebola disease outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus, first detected on May 17, 2026, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The CDC, through its National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) and Division of Global Migration Health (DGMH), has been at the forefront of the response, implementing a series of measures to contain potential transmission. This included the publication of an Order on May 18, 2026, suspending the introduction of certain persons from countries where the disease exists, subsequently amended and reissued several times, most recently on August 12, 2026, for a 30-day period. These orders include exceptions for U.S. citizens, nationals, government personnel, military, and specific humanitarian or law enforcement cases.
The Legal Mandate for Public Health Protection
The CDC's authority for these actions is rooted in Section 361 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 264), which empowers the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish and enforce regulations to prevent the introduction and spread of communicable diseases from abroad. Specifically, 42 Code of Federal Regulation part 71, and 42 CFR 71.20, guide the public health prevention measures designed to detect such diseases. This legal framework forms the bedrock for the extensive screening and monitoring protocols now in place.
A Multi-Agency Screening and Monitoring Protocol
The operationalization of these public health protections involves significant inter-agency cooperation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) play a critical role, leveraging their presence at ports of entry to assist the CDC. Initially, DHS published "Arrival Restrictions Applicable to Flights Carrying Persons Who Have Recently Traveled From or Were Otherwise Present Within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan" on May 20, 2026. This directive reroutes such flights to Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD). Later modifications by CBP on May 22, 2026, and May 26, 2026, expanded the list of designated airports to include Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
At these designated airports, DHS personnel refer travelers from outbreak areas to the CDC for initial health screenings. The CDC then conducts further evaluation, which may include medical assessment, potential transport to a healthcare facility if illness is identified, quarantine arrangements, and subsequent communication with travelers via phone to monitor for symptom development. This robust process aims to detect ill travelers and those at risk for Ebola, facilitating their post-arrival management and preventing community spread.
The Role of Information Collection and Public Feedback
The current Federal Register notice specifically addresses the information collection component of this multifaceted response. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, federal agencies must seek public comment on proposed data collection activities. The CDC previously sought comments on June 2, 2026, receiving a single response. This new 30-day period offers an additional opportunity for public and agency stakeholders to provide feedback.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is particularly interested in comments that:
- Evaluate the necessity and practical utility of the proposed information collection.
- Assess the accuracy of the estimated burden on respondents.
- Suggest ways to improve the quality, utility, and clarity of the information.
- Propose methods to minimize the burden on respondents, including through technological means.
- Estimate information collection costs.
This transparency mechanism allows for public scrutiny and refinement of critical government functions, ensuring that data collection is efficient, effective, and minimally burdensome.
Data Utilization and Ongoing Surveillance
The information gathered through this screening and monitoring program is not merely for immediate identification; it serves a broader public health surveillance purpose. The CDC shares contact information and initial risk assessments with state and local health departments via existing data-sharing infrastructure. This collaboration enables local authorities to prioritize and tailor follow-up actions based on an individual's exposure risk, facilitating targeted public health measures as outlined in CDC interim guidance.
Following the 21-day monitoring period, travelers receive a final survey. The intent of this survey is to evaluate the program's impact, particularly the effectiveness of flight rerouting and entry screening, and to identify the most efficient communication channels. The feedback will inform future refinements to public health messaging and response strategies for travelers arriving from outbreak regions. The estimated annual burden for this information collection is 25,171 hours, with no cost to respondents beyond their time. This extensive data collection and analysis highlight the CDC's commitment to adaptive and evidence-based public health management in the face of emergent global health threats.
