The US has temporarily suspended the removal of refugees to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

This decision may not prevent the spread of the disease, according to experts.

A US judge had ordered the return of a 55-year-old woman, Adriana Zapata, who was deported to Kinshasa despite her complex medical needs.

However, American officials cannot bring her back due to the travel ban.

Immigration agents may be at risk of contracting the virus during removal trips, and the virus could spread closer to the US.

The decision is partly motivated by legal concerns, as removal to a third country with an active Ebola outbreak could be used in an immigrant's defense.