#Fact-finding #mission on #airport exit #screening - EU Health Task Force mission to #DRC and #Uganda, #Bundibugyo virus disease #outbreak 2026 (ECDC, summary)

 

Executive summary

    This report provides a snapshot of the infrastructure and procedures in place for exit screening in the main international airports of each capital city: N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa (DRC) and Entebbe International Airport in Kampala (Uganda). 

    Exit screening in these airports, including symptom checks and exposure assessment, can contribute to reducing the risk of onward transmission by identifying travellers who are symptomatic before they board, and preventing them travelling with symptoms. 

    It also helps dissuade people who are ill from travelling, and enhances public and stakeholder confidence in the public health response. 

    However, it cannot fully prevent the exportation of cases, as the absence of symptoms at departure does not exclude subsequent onset of disease upon or after arrival. 

    The mission team found that both countries have established coordinated exit screening systems, supported by strong political commitment and national leadership to prevent international transmission of Ebola disease. 

    These function alongside domestic containment efforts based on extensive experience of managing previous Ebola disease outbreaks. 

    In both countries, the mission team observed a high degree of transparency and willingness to engage with stakeholders through facilitating access to systems and operations. 

    The site visit at both airports demonstrated that the exit screening systems in place are in line with international standards and benefit from effective multi-sectoral collaboration, involving public health authorities, aviation actors, border services, security forces, and international partners. 

    Screening processes have clear referral and escalation pathways supported by trained medical personnel and infection, prevention and control (IPC) measures. 

    While the systems in place are functional, the mission identified opportunities for further targeted interventions, particularly in relation to passenger processing, digital integration, IPC measures and risk communication. 

    These findings have been communicated to the national authorities in both countries. 

    Regular training, supervision and monitoring over time by national teams and international partners will help to sustain and further improve practices.

Source: 

Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/fact-finding-mission-airport-exit-screening-eu-health-task-force-mission

____

#WHO DG's remarks at High-Level Virtual #Meeting of African Heads of State and Government and Partners on #Bundibugyo #Ebola #outbreak – 16 June 2026

 

Your Excellencies President Ndayishimiye,

President Ramaphosa,

Vice President Alupo,

Prime Minister Suminwa Tuluka,

Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf,

Dr Jean Kaseya,

Excellencies, honourable Ministers, dear colleagues and friends,

    I thank the Africa CDC for hosting this event, and for its partnership in the Ebola response through the joint, African-led incident management support team.

    Thank you also to all those who have made concrete commitments today to support the Joint Continental Preparedness and Response Plan, especially the Government of DRC and Uganda.

    Two weeks ago I traveled to DRC, and I visited the epicentre of the outbreak in the province of Ituri.

    I saw resilience, I saw commitment and I saw hope.

    Treatment capacity is expanding, and we are seeing recoveries.

    But I also saw first-hand the challenges that the communities and our teams face.

    Testing and laboratory capacity are still not at the level we need to interrupt transmission.

    Insecurity, displacement and population movement complicate these efforts – as does significant mistrust in local communities, which I observed while I was in Bunia.

    And blanket travel restrictions are disrupting supply chains and hindering response operations, without addressing the source of transmission.

    As you may know, this month marks 50 years since the first documented Ebola outbreaks in Sudan and DRC, in 1976 – although the first documented outbreak of Bundibugyo virus was only 19 years ago, in 2007.

    In that time, there have only ever been four cases of Ebola documented in travelers from Africa, excluding medical evacuations.

    Blanket travel restrictions are an unnecessary overreaction that do more harm than good.

    WHO recommends targeted public health measures, including exit screening at points of departure, which are much more effective.

    As you know, we are fighting this outbreak without vaccines or therapeutics.

    Clinical trials of promising medicines for treatment and prevention will start in the coming weeks. Vaccine trials will take longer.

    We are also working to ensure access for the affected communities to medicines and vaccines should they be successful in trials.

    Of course, medical countermeasures would be very useful.

    But under the leadership of the government, we can defeat this outbreak without them, just as we have defeated 16 previous Ebola outbreaks in DRC.

    The bigger question is what we will do to prevent the 18th Ebola outbreak, and the 19th.

    That must include working with communities to address the root causes of Ebola outbreaks by improving food safety and preventing spillover, as part of a One Health approach.

    At the same time, we must remember that for the people of Ituri, Ebola is just one threat among many.

    During my visit, one health worker came up to me and asked why we came for Ebola, but not for the many other health threats they face.

    He has a point.

    Community mistrust is a major barrier in this outbreak because these communities feel – perhaps rightly – that the outside world only wants to protect itself from Ebola and doesn’t truly care about them.

    We have a duty to end this outbreak. But our duty does not end there.

    Even as we respond to this outbreak, we must ensure that we are strengthening the essential health services and systems that people rely on for their many other health needs.

    That’s the best way to build trust, and to keep it.

    If we protect these communities from Ebola, but not from malaria or unsafe childbirth, or measles or malnutrition, or from a conflict that is not of their making, we have not really helped.

    Excellencies, as we conclude today’s meeting, I have heard seven main priorities:

    First, the response must be African-led, with the affected countries in the driver’s seat, supported by partners based on the principle of one plan, one budget, one team.

    Second, today’s Summit has endorsed the continued collaboration between WHO and Africa CDC, under the joint Incident Management Support Team and the Joint Continental Preparedness and Response Plan.

    Third, even while we invest in fighting Ebola, we must invest in strengthening essential health systems and services, and in addressing the wider humanitarian emergency.

    Fourth, we continue to call for countries that have imposed blanket travel restrictions to lift them – as I said earlier, because this is overreaction.

    Fifth, we must continue building national and regional capacity to produce vaccines, therapeutics and other medical products.

    Sixth, we ask the armed groups to agree to a ceasefire until the outbreak is over.

    This Summit has called for the urgent establishment of humanitarian access corridors to ensure safe access for authorities and partners to North Kivu, South Kivu and other high-risk areas.

    And seventh, even as we work to stop this outbreak, we must start work now to prevent the next one, by addressing the root causes.

    This Summit has emphasized the need to move from emergency appeals to sustainable preparedness financing, anchored in domestic governments and the African private sector, and complemented by external partners.

    None of this is the responsibility of DRC alone. We are all in this together.

    In particular, strong cross-border cooperation between affected countries and their neighbours is especially important.

    The keys to ending this outbreak are government leadership, community ownership, and strong partnership between WHO, Africa CDC and the many other actors on the ground.

    Thank you all once again for your support. Together, we can stop this.

    And to Your Excellency President Ndayishimiye and President Ramaphosa, we really appreciate your leadership. 

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/speeches/item/who-director-general-s-remarks-at-the-high-level-virtual-meeting-of-african-heads-of-state-and-government-and-partners-on-the-ebola-bundibugyo-virus-disease-outbreak---16-june-2026

____

#WHO DG's opening #remarks at the media #briefing on the #Bundibugyo Ebola #outbreak – 3 June 2026 (Edited): 344 confirmed cases in #DRC, 15 in #Uganda

 

    Good afternoon to everyone in the room, and good morning, good afternoon and good evening to those joining us online.

    Yesterday I returned from a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including to the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in the province of Ituri.

    I met with political leaders, senior health officials, Ambassadors, partners, WHO colleagues, frontline responders, community and faith leaders, women’s groups, business leaders, traditional healers and more.

    I’m very encouraged by the level of commitment I saw everywhere I went. What I saw gave me hope, although challenges remain.

    In DRC, 344 cases have been confirmed, including 60 deaths, in 24 health zones across three different provinces: Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

    The number of suspected cases has now been reduced to 116 from over 1000 last week, as we work through the backlog, either confirming them or ruling them out.

    In Uganda, there is one confirmed death and 15 confirmed cases, including a Congolese resident who travelled to the United Arab Emirates, and then to Uganda.

    WHO is working with public health authorities in Uganda and the UAE to gather additional information, assess the risk of exposure during travel, and to facilitate contact tracing.

    We thank both the UAE and Uganda for their collaboration to mitigate the risks related to this case.

    In addition, a U.S. citizen who was infected in DRC is still receiving care in Germany.

    WHO’s risk assessment remains unchanged: very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level.

    The outbreak had a big head start, and we’re still behind, but under the leadership of the Government of DRC, we are catching up.

    In Bunia there are now three treatment centres with a capacity of 80 beds, and there are also treatment units in Mongbwalu, Rwampara, Beni, Goma and Bukavu, and more are on the way.

    So far, six people have recovered in DRC and two in Uganda, showing that people can survive Ebola if they have access to care and go to health facilities as soon as they show symptoms.

    But we still face several challenges.

    First, testing.

    One of our key priorities is to scale up laboratory and diagnostic capacity, to reduce delays in case confirmation and support faster response decisions.

    Accordingly, we are working to decentralize laboratory and diagnostic capacity in priority locations, including Mongbwalu, Beni, Aru, Nyakunde, and Tchomia.

    We also need to scale up readiness, including surveillance, laboratory diagnostics and access to health services in neighbouring provinces and countries.

    Second, contact tracing in the DRC is not yet where it needs to be.

    Only about 45% of contacts have been followed up, and to get ahead of the outbreak we need to get that number up to above 90%.

    Insecurity, displacement and mobile populations make contact tracing especially difficult.

    Third, blanket travel restrictions imposed by some countries are disrupting supply chains and hindering the response.

    WHO recommends exit screening at airports, ports and border crossings to prevent the exportation of cases and contacts.

    We ask countries that have imposed blanket travel restrictions to lift them.

    Fourth, community mistrust is a serious barrier. Some community leaders told me that they believe Ebola is not real.

    Building trust with the communities is therefore critical to bringing the outbreak under control.

    And fifth, as you know, we are fighting this outbreak without vaccines or therapeutics.

    WHO and partners are working on advancing clinical trials as quickly as possible.

    Today, I convened for the second time the principals of the interim Medical Countermeasures Network to align on three priorities:

        ° First, increasing support for decentralized diagnostics;

        ° Second, mobilizing immediate support for the affected countries to lead clinical trials, in cooperation with communities;

        ° And third, accelerating the investments to support all pillars of the response.

    Although vaccines and therapeutics would be a big help, the key to ending this outbreak is not biomedical.

    It’s leadership, ownership, partnership and trust:

        ° Government leadership;

        ° Community ownership;

        ° Strong partnership between the many actors involved, working with one budget, one plan and one report;

        ° And building trust in the affected communities.

    We also need to remember that Ebola is only one health threat among many that these communities face.

    One of the things I heard from the community leaders is that they worry that the response to Ebola may take resources away from the health and humanitarian services they rely on for their many other needs.

    Our ultimate measure of success is not whether we stop this outbreak.

    We will. The Government of DRC has extensive experience with Ebola, and has stopped 16 previous outbreaks.

    It’s just a matter of how quickly we can do it.

    The real measure of success is what we do to prevent the 18th outbreak, and the 19th.

    If the people of Ituri survive Ebola only to die from malaria or malnutrition, or pneumonia or diarrheal disease or HIV or diabetes, we have not really helped them.

    For now, WHO and our partners are committed to ending this outbreak, under the leadership of the government.

    And when it does end, we will remain equally committed to supporting the government and the local communities to build the health and humanitarian services they need and deserve.

    Amna, back to you.

Source: 

Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/speeches/item/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing---3-june-2026

____

Media #Update on Temporary #Border #Measures in Response to the #Ebola Disease #Outbreak (PHAC, May 31 '26)

 

Statement | May 30, 2026 | Ottawa, ON

    The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has introduced temporary border measures under the Quarantine Act to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of Ebola disease in Canada. 

    These measures are in effect from May 30 at 23:59 p.m. EDT until August 29, 2026. 

    The temporary border measures are out of an abundance of caution, as the health risk to people in Canada from Ebola disease is considered low.

    As announced on May 26, 2026, travellers, including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act, and foreign nationals, entering Canada who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days will be assessed upon arrival and required to follow specific public health measures.

    Travellers who are eligible to enter Canada must also have a suitable quarantine plan in place before arrival, including access to a location where they can safely stay for 21 days, avoid close contact with others, and obtain essential services such as food, medication and public health support. 

    Those without symptoms will be required to proceed directly to their quarantine location and remain there for 21 days. 

    Individuals without a suitable plan will be provided with an appropriate quarantine location, such as a hotel, where they will be regularly monitored.

    During quarantine, individuals must stay at their designated location, monitor for symptoms daily and report their health status to public health authorities. 

    PHAC Quarantine Officers will provide clear information to all travellers who must quarantine, including what to do if they develop symptoms.

    Travellers who exhibit symptoms of Ebola disease will receive an immediate medical assessment and be placed in isolation at a medical facility or other appropriate location that the quarantine officer determines to be suitable. 

    They will remain in isolation for 21 days from their date of entry to Canada or from the onset of symptoms, whichever is later and until they no longer present a public health risk. 

    Until then, the traveller must follow all instructions provided by the quarantine officer. 

    Additional details are now available at canada.ca/ebola-disease.

    The Government of Canada continues to take a precautionary approach to protect the health and safety of Canadians. These temporary measures support early detection and help limit the potential spread of Ebola disease in Canada.

Source: 

Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2026/05/media-update-on-temporary-border-measures-in-response-to-the-ebola-disease-outbreak.html

____

#Taiwan CDC: In response to escalating #Ebola #outbreak, entry from #DRC and #Uganda will be suspended for 90 days (May 29 '26)

 

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated today (May 29) that, according to data released by the WHO as of May 27, 2026, the Ebola virus Disease outbreak continues to expand in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, primarily affecting Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces within the DRC. 

    The DRC has reported a cumulative total of 906 cases (223 deaths) and 125 confirmed cases (17 deaths). 

    Uganda has reported a cumulative total of 7 confirmed cases to date, including 1 death. 

    Based on the assessment of the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are likely to continue to escalate. 

    In addition to strengthening cross-airport joint prevention and control measures and enhancing port monitoring and interception mechanisms, Taiwan, in order to further reduce the risk of imported cases and referencing practices in the United States and Canada, has jointly discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, and the Civil Aeronautics Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and will implement new border epidemic prevention and control measures as follows:

    I. Starting from 00:00 on June 2, 2026, the issuance of visas to residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda will be suspended; those already issued visas will have their entry temporarily suspended for 90 days. However, the following four categories of individuals will be excluded:

        ° (I) Students who have already obtained admission permission from Taiwan; 

        ° (II) Diplomatic and official duties; 

        ° (III) Spouses of Taiwanese citizens who are not Taiwanese citizens and their minor children; 

        ° (IV) Emergency or humanitarian assistance: such as attending funerals or visiting seriously ill relatives.

    II. Taiwanese citizens who have traveled to epidemic areas within 21 days prior to entry, holders of valid Taiwanese residence permits, and those permitted to enter Taiwan are still subject to the measures announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on May 27. They must proactively report to the airport quarantine station upon arrival in Taiwan, where quarantine personnel will issue an "Inbound Passenger Self-Health Management Notice." They must conduct self-health management for 21 days after entry, and follow the requirements of the notice to report their health status. If symptoms appear, they should immediately call the epidemic prevention hotline 1922 for assistance from health authorities.

    The CDC explained that the aforementioned control measures will be adjusted in a timely manner based on the latest international epidemic situation and the epidemic prevention risks at Taiwan's borders. The CDC reiterated that the travel epidemic recommendation level for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda is Level 3 "Warning," urging the public to avoid all non-essential travel to these countries.

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reiterates that, to strengthen border quarantine, in addition to enhancing public awareness through airport multimedia electronic billboards, scrolling displays, and signage, it has been making in-flight announcements on all international flights arriving in Taiwan since May 27th. 

    Passengers who have traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda within the past 21 days are urged to proactively report to the quarantine station upon arrival in Taiwan for TOCC and health assessment. 

    Please cooperate with the following quarantine measures:

        ° 1. Passengers assessed as having suspected Ebola virus infection symptoms (fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bleeding, etc.) will be immediately transported by ambulance to a contracted hospital for examination, and local health authorities will be coordinated in their prevention and control efforts.

        ° 2. Asymptomatic passengers will be issued a "Notice of Self-Health Management for Passengers with Travel History to Ebola-Epidemic Areas." Upon arrival, please cooperate with 21 days of self-health management, keep your phone accessible for contact tracing by health authorities, take your temperature twice daily (morning and evening), and report your health status to the "Public Proactive E-Reporting System." If you experience any of the above symptoms, please call the epidemic prevention hotline 1922 immediately for assistance from the Health Bureau to seek medical attention. Those who do not cooperate with the above measures will be penalized in accordance with the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act.

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/64WhLC3Lcr6B4QUo04UA6A?typeid=9

____

Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases releases consensus #statement on #prevention and #control of #Ebola disease (HK CHP, May 27 '26)

 

    -- In light of the recent outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda in Africa, the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases (SCEZD) under the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health convened a meeting today (May 27), to review the latest epidemiological situation, recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and international health authorities, scientific information on the prevention and control of Ebola disease, and relevant prevention and control strategies in Hong Kong. 

    -- The SCEZD noted that the Government has already implemented a comprehensive series of preventive measures to guard against the importation of Ebola disease into Hong Kong.

     ​-- Following the meeting, the SCEZD released a consensus statement, which provides a risk assessment of the situation in Hong Kong and recommends that the Government continues to implement various current measures to mitigate the risk of imported Ebola disease cases and prevent potential local transmission.

      

Risk assessment

    -- The WHO declared the Ebola disease epidemic in the DRC and Uganda caused by the Bundibugyo virus (one of the viruses of the Ebola virus genus) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026. 

      -- This is the 17th Ebola disease outbreak in the DRC since 1976. As of May 24, 2026, the DRC has reported 105 confirmed cases and 10 confirmed deaths (confirmed case-fatality rate of around 10 per cent), as well as 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths (suspected case-fatality rate of around 25 per cent). Uganda has also reported seven confirmed cases, including one confirmed death.

      -- The WHO assessed the public health risk as "very high" in the DRC, "high" at the regional level and "low" at the global level. Currently, no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment has been developed for Bundibugyo virus. Prevention and control of Bundibugyo virus therefore primarily relies on non-pharmaceutical public health measures such as case identification, isolation, contact tracing, and infection prevention and control.

      -- In Hong Kong, Ebola disease is a statutorily notifiable disease under viral haemorrhagic fever. No suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola disease have been recorded in Hong Kong so far. There are currently no direct flights between the DRC or Uganda and Hong Kong, and Hong Kong has sufficient laboratory testing, isolation and treatment capacity for the rapid diagnosis, isolation and treatment of suspected cases. At present, the risk of Ebola disease is primarily confined to outbreak areas in the DRC and the immediate public health impact on Hong Kong remains low.

      

Recommended measures

    -- The SCEZD recommended the following ongoing preventive and control measures, which the Government has already implemented:

        ° Enhanced surveillance: 

            - Close monitoring of the latest developments in the event of an ongoing Ebola disease outbreak, including maintaining close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities, as well as liaison with the Chinese Mainland health authorities through the joint prevention and control mechanism. 

            - Information on the latest Ebola disease situation and updated reporting criteria should continue to be disseminated to all doctors and hospitals in Hong Kong. 

            - Healthcare professionals should continue to maintain a high level of vigilance for patients presenting with clinically compatible symptoms with Ebola and who have a recent travel history to affected areas.

         ° Case investigation and control measures: 

            - Prompt epidemiological investigation and contact tracing should be conducted upon notification of suspected Ebola disease cases. 

            - Suspected or confirmed cases should be immediately transferred to a public hospital for isolation and treatment, and kept in isolation until the specimens collected test negative for the virus.

        ° Quarantine facilities: 

            - Operational readiness of quarantine facilities should continue to be maintained for immediate deployment if required. 

            - Established protocols for contact tracing and quarantine arrangements are already ready for activation upon laboratory confirmation of an Ebola disease case.

        ° Port health measures and travel advice: 

            - Temperature checks and health screenings for passengers who have visited the DRC or Uganda within the past 21 days should continue. 

            - Active medical surveillance for these passengers during their stay in Hong Kong should also continue to be conducted. 

            - Members of the public are advised to avoid non-essential travel to the affected areas. 

            - Publicity on Ebola disease for travellers and communication with stakeholders of boundary control points should continue to be strengthened.

        ° Laboratory diagnosis: 

            - Adequate laboratory capacity to perform testing for all suspected cases of Ebola disease should continue to be ensured.

        ° Prevention of nosocomial transmission: 

            - Healthcare professionals should continue to comply with the latest infection control guidelines for the prevention of Ebola disease. 

            - Regular training and drills on Ebola infection control practices should continue to be held in hospitals with acute services.

        ° Risk communication and community engagement: 

            - Public health education and risk communication through various channels should continue to be enhanced. 

            - Liaison with relevant non-governmental organisations to convey targeted health information and distribute health promotional materials to relevant communities and venues should be strengthened.

    -- The SCEZD affirmed that the Government's multipronged approach has been effective in minimising the risk of importation of Ebola disease cases to date. Sustained implementation of these preventive and control measures is crucial for minimising importation, early detection of cases and control in case of importation.

      -- The consensus statement of the SCEZD has been uploaded to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/static/24005.html).

 

Ends/Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | Issued at HKT 19:31 

Source: 

Link: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202605/27/P2026052700739.htm

____

#Ebola #outbreak, #Taiwan CDC has raised the #travel advisory level for the #DRC and #Uganda to Level 3, "Warning'' (May 27 '26)

 

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today (May 27) that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, has recently developed rapidly and is becoming increasingly severe. 

    In addition to Ituri Province in the DRC being an outbreak hotspot, cases have also been reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces of DRC, as well as neighboring Uganda, indicating a spreading trend. 

    As of May 24, the DRC had a cumulative total of 112 confirmed cases (including 11 deaths) and 906 suspected cases (including 223 suspected deaths), with one US citizen diagnosed after contact with the virus at a local medical facility. 

    Furthermore, Uganda has also reported 7 confirmed cases (including 1 death), all highly related to the DRC outbreak.

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that, to reduce the risk of imported Ebola cases, Taiwan is strengthening cross-agency security measures at its borders and enhancing port monitoring and interception mechanisms, effective immediately. 

    For travelers arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, quarantine personnel will conduct enhanced TOCC (Travel, Occupation, Contact, and Cluster History) and health assessments. 

    All travelers must undergo 21 days of self-health management upon arrival. 

    Those assessed as potentially at risk of Ebola infection will be immediately transported by ambulance to contracted hospitals for examination, with simultaneous coordination with local health authorities for prevention and control efforts. The

    CDC explained that the Ebola outbreak is currently experiencing a rapid surge, and the actual fatality rate is likely far higher than currently reported official figures. 

    This outbreak is occurring in a complex environment intertwined with security threats and humanitarian challenges. 

    The lack of approved vaccines and specific treatments for this type of virus, coupled with local political instability and high population mobility, has significantly increased the difficulty of epidemic prevention. 

    The WHO assesses that the actual scale of infections is likely far greater than the currently reported numbers, and has rated the risk level of the Democratic Republic of Congo as "very high," Uganda and surrounding areas as "high," and the global risk as "low."  

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) assesses that the outbreak is still concentrated in these two countries, and the overall risk to Taiwan remains low. 

    However, considering the ease of international travel and global transportation, the possibility of imported cases cannot be completely ruled out. 

    Given the continued increase in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the emergence of community clusters, and the local cases in Uganda caused by imported cases, indicating that the outbreak is difficult to control and poses a risk of continued transmission, to protect the health of Taiwanese citizens, the travel advisory level for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has been raised from Level 2 "Alert" to Level 3 "Warning" today. 

    Taiwanese citizens are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to these countries.

    The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that, to strengthen border quarantine, in addition to enhancing public awareness through airport multimedia electronic billboards, scrolling displays, and signage, starting immediately, all international flights arriving in Taiwan will make in-flight announcements urging passengers who have traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda within the past 21 days to proactively report to the quarantine station upon arrival. 

    Quarantine personnel will conduct a TOCC (Transmission of Health and Commitment) and health assessment, and passengers are requested to cooperate with the following quarantine measures:

        1. Passengers assessed as having suspected Ebola virus infection symptoms (fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bleeding, etc.) will be immediately transported by ambulance to a contracted hospital for examination, and local health authorities will be coordinated in their prevention and control efforts.

        2. Asymptomatic passengers will be issued a "Notice of Self-Health Management for Passengers with Travel History to Ebola-Epidemic Areas." Upon arrival, passengers are requested to cooperate with 21 days of self-health management, keep their phones accessible for contact tracing by health authorities, take their temperature twice daily (morning and evening), and report their health status to the "Public Proactive E-Reporting System." If you experience any of the above symptoms, please immediately call the epidemic prevention hotline 1922 for assistance from the health bureau to seek medical attention. Failure to cooperate with these measures will be punished in accordance with the Communicable Disease Control Act.

    The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reiterates its appeal to the public to avoid traveling to Ebola-endemic areas unless absolutely necessary. If travel is unavoidable, please monitor your health closely and implement personal protective measures, including frequent handwashing, wearing a mask when coughing, and avoiding contact with or consumption of wild animals. 

    Upon arrival in Taiwan or during the 21-day self-health management period after returning home, if you experience any of the above-mentioned suspected Ebola virus infection symptoms, please be sure to proactively report to quarantine personnel or call the epidemic prevention hotline 1922 for assistance from health authorities to seek medical attention.

Source: 

Link: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/C_nhlkjwNLF4K_i3iNanKQ?typeid=9

____

Government of #Canada introduces temporary #border #measures in response to the #Ebola disease #outbreak (PHAC, May 27 '26)

 

May 26, 2026 | Ottawa, Ontario | Public Health Agency of Canada

    In response to the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and increasing risks in Uganda and South Sudan, the Government of Canada is taking decisive action by introducing temporary border measures to reduce the risk of the virus entering and spreading within Canada.

    The Government of Canada intends to suspend immigration documents for residents of countries that have a high or very high risk of outbreak of Ebola disease for the next 90 days beginning May 27, 23:59 EDT. 

    At this time, this includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. 

    This will mean that even those with a previously approved temporary resident visa, electronic travel authorization (eTA) or permanent resident visa will not be allowed to travel to Canada while their immigration document is suspended. 

    During this time, we also intend to temporarily pause making decisions on applications for these documents from residents of these countries.

    The government intends to implement an additional measure effective May 30 at 23:59 pm EDT until August 29, 2026, whereby Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act, and foreign nationals, who have been in these areas within the previous 21 days and do not have symptoms, will have to quarantine for 21 days. 

    If they do not have a place where they can quarantine safely, they will be provided with an appropriate location. 

    Travellers who have symptoms will be isolated at a hospital for further assessment. These measures are being implemented under the Quarantine Act.

    Those who are already in Canada are not impacted by these measures, and may continue to stay here for their authorized period of stay. 

    As per standard procedure, these travellers were already screened upon their arrival by a Canada Border Services Agency Border Services Officers. 

    Canadian citizens and permanent residents could still return to Canada and would undergo screening at ports of entry upon their arrival.

    While the risk to people in Canada remains low, the Government of Canada is taking a precautionary approach given the severity of Ebola disease and the evolving international situation, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 ™. There has never been a case of Ebola disease imported into Canada and there are currently no cases of Ebola disease in North America.

    The Government of Canada continues to monitor the situation closely and will adjust these measures as needed based on available evidence, including the epidemiological situation in Canada and internationally.

    Travellers are reminded that border measures may change with little notice and are encouraged to check the latest information before travelling at travel.gc.ca.

(...)

Source: 

Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2026/05/government-of-canada-introduces-temporary-border-measures-in-response-to-the-ebola-disease-outbreak.html

____