UPDATE: OHA Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Investigative Guidelines Updated – June 2026
Dear Colleagues,
Benton County Health Department is sharing an update to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory related to the Ebola disease outbreak returning traveler notifications. The OHA Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Investigative Guidelines have been updated to include additional information regarding returning traveler screening and monitoring (Section 5.3). To date, Ebola exposure risk in Oregon and the United States is low. OHA’s full HAN can be reviewed below.
Thank you for your continued vigilance and service to protect community health.
On May 19, 2026, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) distributed a CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert clinicians, public health practitioners, and travelers about a new outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda caused by the Ebola Bundibugyo virus.
Effective May 21, all individuals who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days of arrival in the United States must arrive through specific ports of entry for enhanced public health entry screening. CDC has implemented returning traveler notifications. All individuals returning to Oregon will undergo risk assessment and any individuals with risk for Ebola disease will be actively monitored for new symptoms by the local public health authority for 21 days after leaving affected countries. Local public health authorities and regional health care systems will be immediately alerted to any individuals with risk for Ebola disease returning to their area.
The OHA Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Investigative Guidelines have been updated to include additional information regarding returning traveler screening and monitoring (section 5.3).
The risk of spread to Oregon and the United States is considered very low at this time.
Resources
- CDC Health Alert Network Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
- What Travelers Need to Know About Returning to the United States from DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan
- CDC Ebola Disease: Current Situation
- Oregon Health Authority Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Investigative Guidelines
For questions, please contact Dr. Melissa Sutton at the Oregon Health Authority.
This Oregon HAN Notification was sent to the following alert lists: ORCD1 (includes: Tribal and local health administrators and health officers, CD Nurses, hospitals, ICPs, preparedness coordinators, labs, epidemiologists, and members of OHA’s staff and leadership).
Unless otherwise noted, feel free to share this HAN notification with:
- Others within your organization.
- Professionals within your health, preparedness, and response affiliations.
Oregon 24/7 disease reporting: 971-673-1111
A printable PDF version of this Health Advisory is available for download below.
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