India Issues Travel Advisory for Congo, Uganda and South Sudan After WHO Flags Bundibugyo Strain Outbreak as Public Health Emergency of International Concern
New Delhi, May 24 : The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), prompting the Government of India to issue a travel advisory for Indian citizens.
According to the information shared by WHO, as per news agency JKNS, WHO under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on May 17, 2026, classified the situation as a global public health emergency following the reported spread of Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also declared the outbreak affecting Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
The WHO IHR Emergency Committee, in its recommendations issued on May 22, called for enhanced disease surveillance at international points of entry to detect and manage travellers arriving from areas affected by the Bundibugyo virus strain. The committee also advised against travel to areas with confirmed virus detection.
Countries neighbouring Congo and Uganda, including South Sudan, have been assessed to be at high risk of transmission.
Ebola Disease is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate. Health experts said the Bundibugyo strain currently circulating has no approved vaccine or specific treatment available so far.
The Government of India stated that no Ebola case linked to the Bundibugyo strain has been reported in the country till date.
“In view of the evolving situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other affected countries, and in line with WHO recommendations, 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 advisory stated.
Indian citizens currently residing in or travelling to these countries have been advised to strictly follow local public health guidelines and maintain heightened precautions to prevent infection. (JKNS)
