Avoid non-essential travel: India's advisory for 3 African nations amid Ebola surge

As the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan a public health emergency concern, India advises its citizens not to travel to these countries.

In Short

• Nationals in affected countries urged to follow local health guidelines
• WHO declares Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
• WHO recommends increased border screening for travellers with fever

India has advised its citizens to avoid all kinds of non-essential travel to countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, as the outbreak of the Ebola virus has hit these three nations severely.

In addition to avoiding travel, the government also advised nationals who are residing in these three nations to take needed precautionary measures and follow guidelines issued by the local authorities.

"In view of the evolving situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other affected countries, and in line with WHO’s recommendations, the Government of India advises all its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan," the health advisory issued by the Indian government said.

The development came after the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak a global emergency concern.

"In light of the reported outbreaks of Ebola Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organisation (WHO), under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on 17 May 2026, determined the situation to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)," the WHO advisory read.

The global health watchdog has also issued temporary recommendations aimed at curbing the spread of the Bundibugyo virus. Under the new directives issued on May 22, health authorities across the affected countries are urged to scale up disease surveillance at key international border checkpoints. The measures are specifically designed to detect, assess, report, and manage any travellers arriving from virus-hit zones who exhibit an unexplained fever.

Alongside heightened border screening, the global health body explicitly discouraged non-essential travel to all areas with documented cases of the Bundibugyo virus. India's advice to its citizens to avoid non-essential travel came in line with the latest directives.

WHAT IS EBOLA DISEASE?

Ebola Disease is a severe viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, and it continues to pose a significant global threat.

The disease carries a high mortality rate and causes severe illness in humans. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific therapeutic treatments available to prevent or treat infections tied directly to the Bundibugyo strain, making early detection and containment critical.

While India has not reported any cases of the disease within its borders, health officials remain vigilant.

- Ends