India issues advisory for three African nations over Ebola outbreak, urges citizens to avoid non-essential travel

PTC News Desk: India has issued an advisory for its citizens to avoid all kinds of non-essential travel to countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, as the outbreak of the Ebola virus has hit these three nations severely.

"In view of the evolving situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other affected countries, and in line with WHO’s recommendations, the Government of India advises all its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan," the health advisory issued by the Indian government said.

In addition to avoiding travel, the government has also urged the citizens residing in these nations to exercise caution and take necessary precautionary measures. 

The advisory comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak a global emergency concern.

"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 WHO advisory read.

A global health authority has issued temporary guidelines to help prevent the spread of the Bundibugyo virus. In recommendations released on May 22, health officials in affected countries have been asked to strengthen disease monitoring at major international border checkpoints.

These measures focus on quickly identifying, testing, reporting, and managing travellers coming from affected regions who show symptoms like unexplained fever.

Along with tighter screening at borders, the agency has advised against non-essential travel to areas where cases of the virus have been reported. India has also followed this advice and urged its citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to such regions.

The Bundibugyo virus is a strain of Ebola disease, which causes severe and often deadly illness. It spreads as a viral hemorrhagic fever and has a high death rate.

Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for infections caused by this strain, so early detection and strict containment are very important.

So far, India has not reported any cases, but health authorities continue to stay alert and monitor the situation closely.