Air France Detroit Flight Diverted to Montreal Due to Ebola Restrictions

Air France flight from Paris to Detroit was diverted to Montreal due to Ebola restrictions.

The flight, carrying a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was forced to land in Montreal after federal officials determined the individual should not have boarded due to entry restrictions aimed at reducing Ebola risk.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson stated that the passenger was “boarded in error” on a U.S.-bound flight. The CBP did not disclose when the person last visited Congo or if they were showing symptoms of the virus.

The Federal Aviation Administration directed CBS News to CBP regarding the incident. Air France and the CDC have yet to comment.

Flight 378 from Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport landed in Montreal at 5:15 p.m. ET, with the status of the passenger unknown. It was unclear if the flight would continue to Detroit.

CDC announced on Monday that non-U.S. passport holders who traveled to Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within three weeks are restricted from entering the U.S.

On Wednesday, DHS confirmed it will require all U.S.-bound flights carrying foreign travelers from Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days to land at Washington-Dulles International Airport.

An Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo was declared on May 15 by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The World Health Organization reported over 600 suspected cases, including 139 deaths.

The new outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccines or treatments.