India Advises Citizens to Avoid Non-Essential Travel to Congo, Uganda and South Sudan Amid Ebola Outbreak

New Delhi, May 2026 : The Government of India on Sunday issued an advisory urging Indian citizens residing in or travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan to strictly follow public health guidelines issued by local authorities and exercise heightened caution due to the ongoing outbreak of Ebola disease in the region.

The advisory comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), raising global concern over the spread of the deadly virus.

In its statement, the Union Health Ministry said that, considering the evolving health situation in the affected African countries and in line with WHO recommendations, Indian nationals should avoid all non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan until further notice.

The ministry clarified that no case of Ebola disease linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain has been reported in India so far.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also declared the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease in Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. Health authorities have warned that neighbouring countries, including South Sudan, remain at high risk of transmission due to cross-border movement and regional connectivity.

The WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee, during its meeting on May 22, issued temporary recommendations aimed at strengthening disease surveillance at international entry points. Countries have been advised to closely monitor travellers arriving from regions where the Bundibugyo virus has been detected and to identify individuals showing symptoms such as unexplained fever or illness.

The WHO has additionally recommended discouraging travel to affected areas to reduce the risk of international transmission.

Ebola is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with strains of the Ebola virus. The Bundibugyo strain, which is responsible for the current outbreak, is known to cause serious illness with a high fatality rate. Symptoms typically include fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting and internal bleeding in severe cases.

Health experts have noted that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments available for Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain, making prevention and early detection critical in controlling the outbreak.

The Indian government has advised citizens already present in the affected countries to remain vigilant, maintain strict hygiene practices, avoid crowded areas when possible and immediately seek medical attention if symptoms develop.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)