India has issued a travel advisory asking citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan following a growing Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa. The advisory comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the situation a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on May 17.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, which is currently affecting regions in the DRC and Uganda.
“In light of the reported outbreaks of Ebola Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organisation (WHO), under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on 17 May 2026, determined the situation to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has also officially declared the ongoing outbreak of Bundibugyo strain Ebola Virus Disease affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,” stated the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in its statement.
Africa CDC also sounds alarm
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also classified the outbreak as a “Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.”
How does Ebola spread?
Ebola is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids such as:
- Blood
- Vomit
- Semen
- Sweat
- Other bodily secretions
The disease is considered rare but extremely severe and often fatal if not managed quickly.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Weakness
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Internal or external bleeding in severe cases
Also Read: WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a global health emergency
