WHO declares Ebola outbreak global health emergency; India advises against non-essential travel to DRC, Uganda, South Sudan

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), prompting the Indian government to advise citizens against non-essential travel to the affected countries. 

In a statement, the Indian government said the WHO, under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, classified the outbreak as a global health emergency on May 17. 

Outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also declared the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola Virus Disease in the DRC and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). 

The WHO’s IHR Emergency Committee, in temporary recommendations issued on May 22, urged countries to strengthen disease surveillance at points of entry to “detect, assess, report, and manage travellers with unexplained febrile illness arriving from areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection”. The WHO also advised against travel to regions where the virus has been detected. 

Countries bordering the DRC and Uganda, including South Sudan, have been assessed to be at high risk of disease transmission. 

Ebola Disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Health authorities said the disease carries a high mortality rate and currently there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for the Bundibugyo strain. 

India has not reported any case

India has not reported any case of Ebola Disease linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain so far. 

“In view of the evolving situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other affected countries, and in line with WHO recommendations, the 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 statement said. 

Indian nationals currently residing in or travelling to these countries have been advised to strictly follow public health guidance issued by local authorities and maintain heightened precautions.