New Delhi : In view of the recent outbreaks of Ebola Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on May 17, 2026.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also designated the ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
Subsequently, the WHO IHR Emergency Committee, in its recommendations issued on May 22, 2026, called for strengthened disease surveillance at international Points of Entry to identify and manage travellers arriving from areas affected by the Bundibugyo virus. The WHO has also advised against travel to regions where the virus has been detected.
Countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, including South Sudan, have been identified as being at high risk of disease transmission.
Ebola Disease is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus and is associated with a high fatality rate. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments available for preventing or treating Ebola Disease caused by this strain.
India has not reported any case of Ebola Disease linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain so far.
Considering the evolving health situation in the affected countries and in line with WHO advisories, the Government of India has urged Indian citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan until further notice.
Indian nationals currently residing in or travelling to these countries have been advised to strictly adhere to public health guidelines issued by local authorities and exercise heightened precautions.