Air France’s flight diverted to Montreal amid U.S. Ebola travel restrictions sparked widespread concern as a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) passenger boarded mistakenly during an outbreak linked to Bundibugyo. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency announced a decision to redirect the plane from Detroit to Montreal after passengers from Ebola-affected countries were flagged for entry restrictions. A spokesperson emphasized that the passenger would not have entered the U.S. due to heightened public health measures. Online tracking showed the flight route was initially planned for Paris-Detroit, but it arrived at Montreal International Airport, where officials confirmed the passenger had been denied entry due to new travel laws requiring travelers from certain regions, including the DRC, to enter through Washington. Health officials are already raising alarms as the Bundibugyo virus spreads rapidly across Africa and South Asia, with Canada and the WHO reporting over 600 suspected cases and 139 deaths. The incident highlights tensions between global health protocols and local travel constraints, underscoring the complexity of managing outbreaks while balancing public safety.
