Government of India has advised Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan following the evolving Ebola disease situation in the region.
The advisory comes after global and regional health agencies raised concerns over the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease in parts of Central and East Africa.
The government has also urged Indian citizens currently residing in or travelling to these countries to strictly follow public health guidelines issued by local authorities and maintain heightened precautions.
WHO declares global public health emergency
The advisory follows a declaration by the World Health Organization under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, which on May 17, 2026 classified the outbreak situation in Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
Separately, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared the ongoing outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain Ebola Virus Disease in Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).
Enhanced surveillance recommended
The WHO IHR Emergency Committee on May 22, 2026 issued temporary recommendations asking countries to strengthen disease surveillance at points of entry.
The recommendations include measures to detect, assess, report and manage travellers with unexplained fever arriving from areas where the Bundibugyo virus has been detected, while also discouraging travel to affected regions.
The government noted that neighbouring countries, including South Sudan, are considered to be at high risk of disease transmission due to their proximity to the affected regions.
No approved vaccine for Bundibugyo strain
Ebola Disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus and is considered a serious disease with a high mortality rate.
The government said there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments available for Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain.
India has not reported any case linked to the Bundibugyo strain Ebola outbreak so far.