Texas health officials are monitoring as many as 80 people for Ebola after a man was diagnosed with the disease in Dallas, officials have told US media.
About 12-18 people, including five children, had contact with Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan, who is in a serious condition in hospital.
The larger number includes individuals who had contact with those people.
Four of Mr Duncan's relatives have been ordered to stay home and not receive visitors until 19 October.
In a statement, Texas health officials said a "strict public health control order is needed to ensure compliance".
"This order gives us the ability to monitor the situation in the most meticulous way," Dr David Lakey, Texas health commissioner, said.
Dallas County Health and Human Services spokeswoman Erikka Neroes told CNN that about 80 people in the area - the patient's contacts and people with whom they had contact - were being monitored for signs of the illness.
A private security guard patrols the Ivy Apartments, where Mr Duncan was staying before being brought to hospital
The disease, which is not contagious until symptoms appear, is spread via close contact with bodily fluids.
Mr Duncan is thought to have contracted the virus in Liberia.
The Liberian national came to the US nearly two weeks ago to visit relatives and he is the first man to be diagnosed with Ebola while in the US.
Five young children who were in contact with him have been told to stay home from school.
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