The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday advised Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Ebola-affected countries – Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan – after the World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
“In light of the reported Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the World Health Organization, under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, has determined on 17 May 2026 that the situation constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC),” the Ministry of Health said in a statement on Sunday.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also officially declared the ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
In addition, on May 22, the WHO International Health Regulations Emergency Committee issued interim recommendations to strengthen disease surveillance at points of entry to “detect, evaluate, report and manage travelers with unexplained febrile illness arriving from areas where Bundibugyo virus has been documented” while “discouraging travel to areas where Bundibugyo virus has been documented.”
As of 21 May, 746 suspected cases and 176 deaths had been reported among suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To date, 85 confirmed cases, including two in Uganda, and ten deaths, including one in Uganda, have been reported among the confirmed cases in both countries, according to the World Health Organization.
Countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, including South Sudan, are estimated to be at high risk of transmission.
Ebola is a viral hemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. It is a serious disease with a high mortality rate. At present, no vaccines or specific treatments have been approved to prevent or treat Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.
The Indian Ministry of Health confirmed that India has not reported any cases of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.
Read also: Ebola screening begins at Pune airport amid fears of a global outbreak
“In light of the evolving situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other affected countries, and in line with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, the Government of India advises all Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan until further notice,” the statement read.
“Indian citizens currently residing in or traveling to these countries are advised to strictly follow public health guidelines issued by local authorities and maintain strict precautions,” it added.
