An Air France flight bound for Detroit was redirected to Montreal on Wednesday (May 20) due to concerns about a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) took “decisive action” by prohibiting the flight from landing at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, citing entry restrictions to reduce Ebola risk.
The passenger, who boarded the flight in Paris “in error,” was not supposed to travel to the U.S. due to a 30-day travel ban on non-U.S. passport holders from Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda. This measure was announced by the CDC and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on May 18 to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus. The flight, identified as Air France 378, landed in Montreal at 5:15 p.m., and the passenger was escorted off the plane. It later continued to Detroit, arriving at 8:18 p.m.
The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. As of Wednesday (May 20), the outbreak has resulted in at least 139 deaths and approximately 600 suspected cases. The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, involved in this outbreak, lacks vaccines or therapeutic treatments, complicating containment efforts.
The CBP’s actions align with enhanced public health measures, including routing passengers from affected regions to Washington-Dulles International Airport for screenings. Despite the diversion, officials reported no medical emergency on board the flight.
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