2 min readUpdated: May 25, 2026 03:49 AM IST
In line with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, the Indian government has advised all citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Ebola-affected countries such as DR Congo and Uganda, as well as their neighbouring countries including South Sudan.
“Indians currently residing in or travelling to these countries are advised to strictly follow public health guidance issued by local authorities and maintain heightened precautions,” the Union Health Ministry said Sunday.
Earlier, the ministry had issued advisory for those travelling from or transiting through these “high risk countries” and experiencing symptoms such as fever, weakness and fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, unexplained bleeding, and sore throat to report to the airport health officer or health desk at all ports, airports and other points of entry into the country. The advisory had also said that any person with a history of direct contact with blood or bodily fluids of a person confirmed or suspected to have Ebola should also reach out to the health authorities at the port of entry.
“Please cooperate with health screening and public health measures in the interest of passenger safety and international health regulations,” says the advisory, reminiscent of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The WHO on May 17 sounded the alarms, declaring the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
As of May 21, at least 746 suspected cases and 176 deaths among suspected cases were reported in DR Congo. So far, 85 confirmed cases, including two in Uganda, and ten deaths, with one in Uganda, among confirmed cases were reported across both the countries, according to the WHO.
Ebola is a zoonotic viral infection — caused by the Orthoebolavirus family — and can be extremely fatal to humans. It can spread from humans to humans through direct contact with infected fluids such as blood, saliva, sweat, tears, vomit, faeces, and breast milk among others. It can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces and contact with bodies of those who have died of the infection. While most of the symptoms of the disease are flu-like — fever, headache, muscle and joint pain — unexplained internal and external bleeding is one of the distinct features of the disease.
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