Ebola Outbreak in DRC, Uganda Escalates; Taiwan Raises Travel Advisory to Level 2
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- 📰 Published: May 17, 2026 at 17:50
- 🔍 Collected: May 17, 2026 at 18:01 (10 min after Published)
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(CNA, Taipei, May 17, by reporter Chen Chieh-ling) Due to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda constituting a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern,' Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated that the possibility of imported cases cannot be entirely ruled out. Effective immediately, the international travel health advisory for these countries has been raised to a Level 2 Alert.
Ebola Virus
The Ebola virus is a member of the Filoviridae family, characterized by its long, peculiar, sometimes branched or coiled structure. The genus Ebolavirus currently includes five species: Bundibugyo, Zaire, Sudan, Reston, and Taï Forest, which differ in their antigenic and biological properties. The Bundibugyo, Zaire, and Sudan ebolaviruses have all caused several large-scale outbreaks in Africa. The strain responsible for the major 2014 West Africa outbreak was the Zaire virus. The Reston ebolavirus has been found in the Philippines and China and can cause fatal hemorrhagic fever in non-human primates; while there have been sporadic human infections, they were all clinically asymptomatic.
Ebola virus disease is a severe acute illness caused by the Ebola virus. There have been no confirmed cases in Taiwan to date, and it is classified as a Category 5 Notifiable Communicable Disease.
Clinical Symptoms:
Incubation/Infectious Period:
Mode of Transmission:
Treatment:
Source: Taiwan CDC
Tseng Shu-hui stated that according to the latest WHO information, the current outbreak is primarily in the DRC and has spread across the border to Uganda. This outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus and is linked to funerals. Due to customs that may involve contact with deceased bodies, the public is advised to avoid attending funerals and contact with bodies when traveling to high-risk areas.
Tseng Shu-hui pointed out that while the overall threat of this Ebola outbreak to Taiwan remains low, the possibility of imported cases cannot be completely ruled out, considering international travel and global transportation convenience. Therefore, based on risk assessments from the WHO and other international sources, the travel health advisory for the DRC and Uganda has been raised from Level 1: Watch to Level 2: Alert. Travelers are required to take enhanced protective measures in these areas.
Tseng Shu-hui said that border surveillance, medical reporting, and epidemic prevention preparedness will continue to be strengthened. The WHO has not yet called for border controls, and Taiwan will continue with its existing airport quarantine measures. Travelers entering Taiwan who have a travel history to the affected countries and experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding should proactively inform airport quarantine personnel.
Tseng Shu-hui noted that the WHO currently assesses the regional risk as 'high' and the global risk as 'low.' There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the Ebola virus. With some cases reaching urban areas, epidemic control faces significant challenges. Bats and other wild animals are natural hosts of the Ebola virus, and people traveling to the region should avoid contact with wild animals and consumption of bushmeat.
Tseng Shu-hui reminded the public that those traveling to the DRC, Uganda, and surrounding affected areas should take enhanced precautions, practice good hand hygiene, use personal protective equipment, and avoid contact with the blood, bodily fluids, and secretions of suspected patients. The incubation period for Ebola can be up to 21 days. After returning to Taiwan, individuals should conduct self-health management for 21 days. If suspected symptoms appear, they should wear a mask and seek medical attention promptly. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150517
Ebola Virus
The Ebola virus is a member of the Filoviridae family, characterized by its long, peculiar, sometimes branched or coiled structure. The genus Ebolavirus currently includes five species: Bundibugyo, Zaire, Sudan, Reston, and Taï Forest, which differ in their antigenic and biological properties. The Bundibugyo, Zaire, and Sudan ebolaviruses have all caused several large-scale outbreaks in Africa. The strain responsible for the major 2014 West Africa outbreak was the Zaire virus. The Reston ebolavirus has been found in the Philippines and China and can cause fatal hemorrhagic fever in non-human primates; while there have been sporadic human infections, they were all clinically asymptomatic.
Ebola virus disease is a severe acute illness caused by the Ebola virus. There have been no confirmed cases in Taiwan to date, and it is classified as a Category 5 Notifiable Communicable Disease.
Clinical Symptoms:
Incubation/Infectious Period:
Mode of Transmission:
Treatment:
Source: Taiwan CDC
Tseng Shu-hui stated that according to the latest WHO information, the current outbreak is primarily in the DRC and has spread across the border to Uganda. This outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus and is linked to funerals. Due to customs that may involve contact with deceased bodies, the public is advised to avoid attending funerals and contact with bodies when traveling to high-risk areas.
Tseng Shu-hui pointed out that while the overall threat of this Ebola outbreak to Taiwan remains low, the possibility of imported cases cannot be completely ruled out, considering international travel and global transportation convenience. Therefore, based on risk assessments from the WHO and other international sources, the travel health advisory for the DRC and Uganda has been raised from Level 1: Watch to Level 2: Alert. Travelers are required to take enhanced protective measures in these areas.
Tseng Shu-hui said that border surveillance, medical reporting, and epidemic prevention preparedness will continue to be strengthened. The WHO has not yet called for border controls, and Taiwan will continue with its existing airport quarantine measures. Travelers entering Taiwan who have a travel history to the affected countries and experience symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding should proactively inform airport quarantine personnel.
Tseng Shu-hui noted that the WHO currently assesses the regional risk as 'high' and the global risk as 'low.' There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the Ebola virus. With some cases reaching urban areas, epidemic control faces significant challenges. Bats and other wild animals are natural hosts of the Ebola virus, and people traveling to the region should avoid contact with wild animals and consumption of bushmeat.
Tseng Shu-hui reminded the public that those traveling to the DRC, Uganda, and surrounding affected areas should take enhanced precautions, practice good hand hygiene, use personal protective equipment, and avoid contact with the blood, bodily fluids, and secretions of suspected patients. The incubation period for Ebola can be up to 21 days. After returning to Taiwan, individuals should conduct self-health management for 21 days. If suspected symptoms appear, they should wear a mask and seek medical attention promptly. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150517