SRINAGAR: The Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a travel advisory urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan following the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) over an Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa.
The World Health Organization on May 17, 2026 declared the Ebola disease outbreak, driven by the Bundibugyo strain, a PHEIC under the International Health Regulations, 2005. The declaration follows reported outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also classified the ongoing situation as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security, citing cross-border transmission risks in the affected regions.
According to the WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee meeting held on May 22, 2026, temporary recommendations have been issued to strengthen surveillance at points of entry. These include enhanced screening for travellers arriving from affected areas and discouraging travel to regions with confirmed Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) transmission.
Health authorities have identified neighbouring countries, including South Sudan, as being at heightened risk due to regional mobility and proximity to outbreak zones. Ebola disease, caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate, and currently has no approved vaccines or specific treatments for this strain.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated that India has not reported any cases of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo strain. It added that the advisory has been issued in alignment with WHO recommendations amid the evolving public health situation.
The government has advised citizens to defer all non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan until further notice.
