US-bound flight diverted to Canada after person from Ebola-hit region boarded plane

An Air France flight traveling from Paris to Detroit was diverted to Montreal after a passenger linked to an Ebola-affected region boarded the aircraft despite US travel restrictions. The passenger had recently traveled through the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan—countries currently subject to temporary US entry bans due to the outbreak. US authorities denied entry, forcing the diversion to Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) assessed the traveler and confirmed they were asymptomatic. The passenger later departed back to Paris, while the rest of the passengers continued to Detroit on the same flight. US Customs and Border Protection stated the passenger had boarded 'in error,' and Air France confirmed the diversion under new US public health regulations. The incident highlights growing global concern over the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has killed nearly 140 people and infected over 600 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, though no approved vaccine currently exists for this strain. Health officials warn the true scale of the outbreak may be higher, with the risk to the US remaining low but prompting stricter screening measures. Passengers onboard initially feared a technical issue but were later informed of the diversion due to US entry restrictions. The flight had been airborne for several hours before the diversion order was issued. Air France and US authorities have since clarified the situation, emphasizing the passenger posed no immediate health risk but violated travel protocols.