Ebola Outbreak in DRC and Uganda 2026: Travel Advice for UK Visitors to East Africa

What has happened?

On 17 May 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) — the highest level of global health alert. This followed the detection of imported cases in Uganda in mid-May.

The strain involved is Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a distinct species of Ebola with a case fatality rate of around 25–40%. The outbreak was first detected on 5 May 2026 in the Mongbwalu Health Zone, Ituri Province — an area of eastern DRC that has experienced multiple Ebola events since 2018.

This guidance reflects the situation as of 10 June 2026. The outbreak is evolving rapidly. Always check the latest FCDO advice before travel.

Which countries are affected?

As of 10 June 2026:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) — Active outbreak in eastern provinces: Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu. 321 confirmed cases and 220 suspected cases as of 1 June 2026. Check the latest FCDO advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/democratic-republic-of-the-congo.
• Uganda — 15 confirmed cases and 1 death as of 2 June 2026, all linked to travel from DRC. Uganda closed its DRC border on 27 May 2026. The FCDO Uganda page was updated on 28 May 2026 to reflect the outbreak — check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/uganda for the current advisory.
• Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia — No confirmed cases as of this date. Standard travel health precautions apply. Monitor FCDO updates if travelling to the region.

If you are planning a safari or volunteer trip to East Africa, check the FCDO travel advice for each specific country on your itinerary. Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda are not subject to Ebola-related travel restrictions at this time.

Ebola: symptoms and how it spreads

Ebola does not spread through casual contact, airborne routes, or sharing public spaces. It spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of a person who is symptomatic or who has died from the disease.

The main risks are:

• Healthcare workers treating Ebola patients without appropriate PPE
• Close contact with symptomatic patients or deceased individuals in affected areas
• Handling bushmeat in affected regions

The risk to UK tourists in unaffected countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda is extremely low.

Symptoms appear 2–21 days after exposure and include sudden high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and unexplained bleeding. If you develop these symptoms within 21 days of returning from an affected area, call 999 and mention your travel history before attending any medical facility.

If you have booked travel to East Africa

If your trip does not involve DRC or Uganda, it may still be able to proceed — but take these steps:

• Check FCDO advice for every country on your itinerary at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. The situation can change within days during an active outbreak.
• Contact your insurer. FCDO travel advisories may give you grounds to cancel and reclaim, even for non-refundable bookings. Check your policy wording carefully.
• Book a travel health consultation. A pharmacist can review your vaccine history and ensure you have Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and appropriate malaria prevention for your itinerary — none of which protect against Ebola, but all of which reduce other significant risks.
• Pack appropriate supplies. Include oral rehydration sachets, a thermometer, and contact details for the nearest hospital and UK embassy at your destination.

Book a travel health appointment at Medway Pharmacy — 465 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, ME7 5LJ. Open 7 days a week until 10pm. Call 01634 575805.