WHO Issues International Emergency Over Ebola Outbreak In Central Africa: Should Travellers Be Concerned?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), its highest level of global alert.

Ebola was first identified in 1976 and it's the country’s 17th outbreak. Its deadliest outbreak, from 2018 to 2020, claimed nearly 2,300 lives, and over the past 50 years, around 15,000 people have died from Ebola across Africa.

While the WHO stressed that the outbreak does not meet the criteria of a pandemic, it warned that the situation could worsen. With confirmed cases now reported in major urban centres and neighbouring Uganda, health officials say the risk of regional spread is significant.

For travellers heading to Central and East Africa, here's everything you need to know.

Ebola Outbreak In DR Congo: Cases So Far

The outbreak is centred in Ituri province in eastern DR Congo, where around 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths have been reported so far.

According to the WHO, there are currently eight laboratory-confirmed cases of Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain for which there are no approved vaccines or treatments.

Cases have been detected in three health zones, including Bunia, the capital of Ituri province, and the gold-mining towns of Mongwalu and Rwampara.

One confirmed case has also been reported in Kinshasa, DR Congo’s capital, involving a patient believed to have travelled from Ituri.

The virus has already crossed borders. Uganda has confirmed two cases, including a 59-year-old Congolese man who died after testing positive. Another case has reportedly been confirmed in Goma, a major city in eastern DR Congo currently controlled by M23 rebels.

Why WHO Is Concerned About Regional Spread

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said there are still “significant uncertainties” about the true number of infections and how widely the virus may have spread. Several factors are making the outbreak especially concerning:

• Ongoing conflict and insecurity in eastern DR Congo

• Large-scale population movement within the region

• Cases appearing in urban centres

• Busy cross-border trade and travel

• Numerous informal healthcare facilities with limited infection controls

Countries bordering DR Congo are considered at high risk because of strong transport and commercial links. In response, Rwanda has announced stricter screening at border crossings and said health teams are on high alert to detect and respond quickly to any suspected cases.

The WHO has advised DR Congo and Uganda to establish emergency operation centres to improve surveillance, contact tracing and infection prevention measures.

What Travellers Should Know About Ebola Symptoms And Transmission

Ebola is a severe and often deadly disease caused by a virus. It spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, vomit and diarrhoea.

The Bundibugyo strain involved in this outbreak has caused death in around 30 per cent of cases during previous outbreaks. Symptoms typically appear between two and 21 days after infection. Early signs resemble the flu and may include:

• Fever

• Headache

• Muscle pain

• Fatigue

• Sore throat

As the illness progresses, patients may develop vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, organ failure and, in some cases, internal or external bleeding.

Outbreaks usually begin when humans are infected through contact with animals such as fruit bats, which are believed to be the natural hosts of the virus. There is currently no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, unlike the Zaire species of Ebola, for which vaccines are available.

Travel Advice: No Border Closures, But Precautions Recommended

Despite the international emergency declaration, the WHO has advised countries not to close borders or restrict travel and trade, saying such measures are often based on fear rather than science.

For travellers, this means that most journeys to unaffected parts of Africa can continue as planned, though extra caution is advised if visiting DR Congo, Uganda or neighbouring countries. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) plans to send additional staff to DR Congo and Uganda, while the US Embassy in DR Congo has urged American citizens to avoid travel to Ituri province.

(With inputs from various sources)

FAQs

1. What did the WHO declare regarding the Ebola outbreak?

The WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in DR Congo a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), its highest level of global health alert.

2. Which Ebola strain is involved in this outbreak?

The outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain of Ebola for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

3. Which countries are affected?

Confirmed cases have been reported in DR Congo and Uganda, while neighbouring countries are on heightened alert.

4. Are there travel restrictions in place?

No. The WHO has advised against border closures or travel bans, stating that such measures are not scientifically justified.

5. What are the symptoms of Ebola?

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, fatigue, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, and, in severe cases, bleeding and organ failure.

6. Is it safe to travel to Africa?

Most travel to unaffected parts of Africa can continue as planned. Travellers visiting DR Congo, Uganda, or nearby countries should monitor official health advisories and take recommended precautions.