A commercial Air France flight headed for the United States was unexpectedly rerouted to Montreal on Wednesday after a passenger was denied entry due to newly implemented American travel restrictions tied to the Ebola outbreak spreading through the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Flight tracking data from FlightAware confirmed the aircraft departed Paris bound for Detroit but was diverted to Trudeau International Airport. According to Air France, at least one passenger on board was ineligible to enter the U.S. under fresh regulations that require travellers from affected regions, including Congo, to enter America exclusively through Washington's designated ports of entry.
Health authorities across North America remain on heightened alert. The current outbreak involves Bundibugyo, a particularly deadly strain of Ebola that is ravaging populations in Congo and spilling across borders into Uganda. The World Health Organization has documented nearly 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths, though officials privately acknowledge the true scale of transmission likely far exceeds official counts.
Canadian Health System Responds
Ontario's health ministry has initiated testing protocols for one individual who presented with potential symptoms. Out of abundance of caution, that person underwent screening for multiple infectious diseases, including Ebola, given their recent travel history.
The Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed that diagnostic samples are expected to arrive at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg on Thursday for comprehensive analysis. Canadian and American health officials did not immediately respond to media inquiries regarding the diverted flight or specific quarantine protocols being implemented.
This report is based on information from The Canadian Press, originally published May 21, 2026. For ongoing updates on Alberta and Canadian health developments, readers can follow WestNet News coverage of public health issues affecting our region.