In May 2026, an Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo quickly became a regional travel and public health concern.
For travelers who had registered their international travel, the U-M Global Engagement Team (GET) was able to identify current and upcoming travelers in impacted countries, share targeted health and travel guidance, and notify appropriate school and college contacts.
At the same time, Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP) reviewed UM-booked travel to and from the affected countries and shared information with GET so records could be compared. This helped ensure known travelers were identified through both systems. CTP has similarly supported GET during previous crises involving natural disasters, political instability, and war.
That coordination matters. During an evolving emergency, U-M can best support travelers when it knows where they are.
The Ebola outbreak is a reminder of why travelers should use two key tools before traveling internationally:
- Register all UM-related international travel in the U-M Travel Registry
- Book UM-related flights through Collegiate Travel Planners (CTP) whenever possible
Booking flights through CTP does not replace the Travel Registry, and travel registration does not replace booking through CTP. The two systems work best together.
The outbreak, centered in eastern DRC, prompted international health alerts, new U.S. re-entry screening requirements, restrictions for some non-U.S. citizens seeking to re-enter the U.S., changes to U-M country risk ratings, and U-M communications to current and future travelers in the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, and Rwanda.
At the onset of the crisis, the U-M Global Engagement Team, which manages the Travel Registry and provides crisis support to travelers abroad, convened with the U-M Public Health Infection Prevention and Response Advisory Committee (PHIPRAC) and the Washtenaw County Health Department to analyze the situation and provide guidance.
What U-M international travelers should do
For UM-related international travel, U-M strongly recommends that faculty, staff, and students take the following steps:
✅Register international travel with U-M before departure
Registration is required for UM-related international travel under U-M’s international travel policy (SPG 601.31) and is essential for emergency support.
Travel registration is also available for personal or leisure travel. By registering travel, faculty, staff, and students receive next steps to purchase or enroll in U-M’s travel abroad health and evacuation insurance through GeoBlue (BCBS Global).
✅Book through CTP whenever possible
CTP reservations give U-M another way to identify travelers who may be affected by rapidly changing events, including travelers who may have forgotten to register their trip in the Travel Registry.
✅Keep itinerary and contact information up to date
Accurate travel dates, locations, phone numbers, and email addresses help U-M reach travelers quickly during an emergency.
✅Review U-M country risk ratings and requirements
Some destinations require individual or group safety plans for student travelers, and some may be restricted for undergraduate or graduate student travel.
✅Contact the Global Engagement Team with travel health and safety questions
Travelers and units supporting travel can reach GET at [email protected].
✅Contact CTP if flights need to be rebooked
Travelers can reach CTP by phone at 877-804-3688. From an international location, call 402-252-4404.