The U.S. government on Wednesday announced an additional $242 million donation toward tackling the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, warning its citizens against travelling to countries ravaged by Ebola.

The U.S. Department of State announced the fresh donation in a statement on Wednesday, bringing America’s contribution toward combating the deadly Ebola outbreak in the DRC to more than $500 million.

“Today, the Department is announcing that, working with Congress, it intends to provide an additional $242 million in funding for immediate Ebola response and preparedness efforts in the region and humanitarian assistance related to the outbreak,” the statement said. “This additional funding is aligned with the U.S. government’s commitment at the G7 Leaders’ Summit on June 16 to provide up to an additional $500 million for Ebola response efforts.”

According to the U.S. Department of State, America’s assistance announced to combat the outbreak has now exceeded $512 million in direct assistance, enabling implementing organisations to expand the ongoing response in Africa.

Warning U.S. citizens against visiting countries ravaged by the deadly virus, the statement said, “Our Travel Advisory for the DRC, as well as those for Uganda and South Sudan, remains at Level 4 – Do Not Travel. Americans should not travel for any reason to these countries.

“The Department of State continues to work closely with the CDC, the lead federal agency for this response, to mobilise our global resources in support of this outbreak response, while putting the protection of Americans and preventing Ebola from reaching the American homeland first.”

The U.S. Department of State said it was assisting U.S. citizens currently in or recently in the DRC, or otherwise affected by travel restrictions. This includes providing financial assistance loans to support U.S. citizens who need to change their travel plans and secure temporary lodging in a country outside the DRC before returning to the U.S.