North Korea is closing its borders to international tourists because of concerns about Ebola , tour agencies specializing in the country were told . Beijing-based Koryo Tours and Young Pioneers Tours issued statements Thursday saying they received news `` from our partners in Pyongyang '' that international tourists will not be allowed to enter North Korea , starting Friday . `` It is presently unknown how long this closure will be in effect for but we are hopeful that our planned tours in November and December will take place , '' Koryo Tours said . KCNA , the country 's state-run news agency , said North Korea is taking `` preventive measures '' Friday to `` control the infection by Ebola . '' It stated that travelers would `` undergo more thorough-going check and quarantine ... than ever before . '' North Korea 's public health agencies are `` regularly examining all people in order to rapidly confirm people suspicious of having contracted the disease and taking measures to treat them , '' KCNA reported . The report did not state explicitly that it was closing its borders to international tourists . It remains unclear if business travelers to North Korea will be affected . In recent years , North Korea has become an increasingly popular destination for international tourists , including Americans , despite a U.S. State Department warning not to travel there because of the recent detentions of its citizens . This is not the first time North Korea is restricting its borders because of disease concerns . In 2003 , the country temporarily shut its borders as the SARS epidemic swept eastern Asia . Currently , there are no reported Ebola cases in Asia . Six West African countries , including Mali , have been hit by the virus , which the World Health Organization reported has killed more than 4,800 people . Most of the deaths have been in Liberia , Sierra Leone and Guinea . But fears about Ebola 's spread have mounted since the infections of health care workers in the United States and Spain . Complete Ebola coverage .
Aid groups to N. Korea say that starting Friday , nation is n't allowing international tourists in . KCNA : Travelers with ` ` undergo more thorough - looking inspection and quarantine ... than ever before '' No cases of flu have been reported in Asia .