Ebola Outbreak in Africa: Experts Warn of Rare Strain, Urge Vigilance for Transit Passengers
An Ebola outbreak has occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, leading the WHO to declare it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Taiwanese experts warn that this outbreak is caused by a rare virus strain. Although Taiwan has no direct flights from the affected regions, they stress the need for strict vigilance against transit passengers entering the country and call on the government to enhance border surveillance and travel history tracking.
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- 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 13:13
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An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has been declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization. A Taiwanese expert warns that the outbreak involves a rare virus strain and that while Taiwan has no direct flights, it must be vigilant against transit passengers entering the country. The government is urged to strengthen border surveillance and monitor travel histories.
In May of this year, an outbreak of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of May 16, it has caused over 80 deaths, with 246 suspected cases. Neighboring Uganda has also reported two confirmed cases, both in patients who had traveled to the DRC. In a statement on May 17, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" (PHEIC).
Reuters reported that the WHO stated this outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain and has not yet reached the criteria for a "pandemic emergency." According to global research published in 2024, the fatality rate of the common Zaire ebolavirus can be as high as 90%, whereas the Bundibugyo strain's fatality rate is approximately 30% to 40%.
Dr. Huang Kao-pin, Vice Superintendent of the Infection Control Center and Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at China Medical University Hospital, told CNA in a telephone interview today that the unique aspect of this virus is its direct spread from Congo to Uganda. Furthermore, because the Bundibugyo strain is different from previous ones, initial test kits produced false negatives. Although cases were discovered in April, the outbreak was not confirmed until early May.
The Ebola virus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals or humans, or with objects contaminated by such fluids. Bundibugyo is one of the four species in the Ebolavirus genus that cause fatal disease in humans.
Dr. Huang pointed out that global travel is frequent, with many countries having direct flights to Africa. A past incident, though involving a different disease, saw a patient fall ill on a flight in Japan, and such possibilities cannot be ignored. "Although Taiwan currently has no direct flights to Africa," the biggest worry is patients coming to Taiwan via transit in Europe or other countries.
Regarding preventive measures, Dr. Huang stressed that border control is of utmost importance. There are currently no approved vaccines or drugs for the Bundibugyo virus. Even though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering providing investigational drugs to Congo and Uganda, Taiwan must maintain a high level of alertness.
"As long as the virus is not brought in, Taiwan is not in danger," Dr. Huang believes. Tracking travelers' movements, points of origin, and contact history is crucial. Although the African region is sparsely populated, with relatively few people passing through airports, and with the WHO having declared a global public health emergency, the probability of a global pandemic is relatively low. However, once the virus enters densely populated areas like Europe, America, or Asia, the risk will increase significantly.
Dr. Huang urged the government to strictly monitor travelers arriving in Taiwan who departed from Africa and transited through other countries. If they show symptoms like fever or bleeding, quarantine should even be considered to ensure there are no gaps in border defense against this variant virus.
Regarding whether the Ebola outbreak will spread on a large scale like COVID-19, the Taiwan Science Media Center invited Taiwanese experts to provide their perspectives. Andrei R. Akhmetzhanov, an associate professor at the National Taiwan University College of Public Health, noted that the Bundibugyo strain has caused two previous outbreaks: one in Uganda in 2007 and another in the DRC in 2012.
Prof. Akhmetzhanov said that Taiwan has never had any Ebola cases. The Ebola virus is mainly transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and is not airborne. The current risk assessment for the outbreak being imported into Taiwan is extremely low, but not zero, with the main risk being through travel. Following the PHEIC declaration, Taiwan, like many other countries, has strengthened its border control measures and raised travelers' awareness of the potential risks.
The declaration of a PHEIC is a call for a coordinated international response and support to contain the outbreak and prevent its further spread. The WHO had previously taken a similar but less severe measure in August 2024, declaring the mpox outbreak in Africa a PHEIC (the second PHEIC declaration for mpox). The purpose was similarly to call for a higher level of global response, reflect the seriousness of the situation, and mobilize resources to control the outbreak.
In May of this year, an outbreak of the Bundibugyo ebolavirus occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As of May 16, it has caused over 80 deaths, with 246 suspected cases. Neighboring Uganda has also reported two confirmed cases, both in patients who had traveled to the DRC. In a statement on May 17, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" (PHEIC).
Reuters reported that the WHO stated this outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain and has not yet reached the criteria for a "pandemic emergency." According to global research published in 2024, the fatality rate of the common Zaire ebolavirus can be as high as 90%, whereas the Bundibugyo strain's fatality rate is approximately 30% to 40%.
Dr. Huang Kao-pin, Vice Superintendent of the Infection Control Center and Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at China Medical University Hospital, told CNA in a telephone interview today that the unique aspect of this virus is its direct spread from Congo to Uganda. Furthermore, because the Bundibugyo strain is different from previous ones, initial test kits produced false negatives. Although cases were discovered in April, the outbreak was not confirmed until early May.
The Ebola virus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals or humans, or with objects contaminated by such fluids. Bundibugyo is one of the four species in the Ebolavirus genus that cause fatal disease in humans.
Dr. Huang pointed out that global travel is frequent, with many countries having direct flights to Africa. A past incident, though involving a different disease, saw a patient fall ill on a flight in Japan, and such possibilities cannot be ignored. "Although Taiwan currently has no direct flights to Africa," the biggest worry is patients coming to Taiwan via transit in Europe or other countries.
Regarding preventive measures, Dr. Huang stressed that border control is of utmost importance. There are currently no approved vaccines or drugs for the Bundibugyo virus. Even though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering providing investigational drugs to Congo and Uganda, Taiwan must maintain a high level of alertness.
"As long as the virus is not brought in, Taiwan is not in danger," Dr. Huang believes. Tracking travelers' movements, points of origin, and contact history is crucial. Although the African region is sparsely populated, with relatively few people passing through airports, and with the WHO having declared a global public health emergency, the probability of a global pandemic is relatively low. However, once the virus enters densely populated areas like Europe, America, or Asia, the risk will increase significantly.
Dr. Huang urged the government to strictly monitor travelers arriving in Taiwan who departed from Africa and transited through other countries. If they show symptoms like fever or bleeding, quarantine should even be considered to ensure there are no gaps in border defense against this variant virus.
Regarding whether the Ebola outbreak will spread on a large scale like COVID-19, the Taiwan Science Media Center invited Taiwanese experts to provide their perspectives. Andrei R. Akhmetzhanov, an associate professor at the National Taiwan University College of Public Health, noted that the Bundibugyo strain has caused two previous outbreaks: one in Uganda in 2007 and another in the DRC in 2012.
Prof. Akhmetzhanov said that Taiwan has never had any Ebola cases. The Ebola virus is mainly transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and is not airborne. The current risk assessment for the outbreak being imported into Taiwan is extremely low, but not zero, with the main risk being through travel. Following the PHEIC declaration, Taiwan, like many other countries, has strengthened its border control measures and raised travelers' awareness of the potential risks.
The declaration of a PHEIC is a call for a coordinated international response and support to contain the outbreak and prevent its further spread. The WHO had previously taken a similar but less severe measure in August 2024, declaring the mpox outbreak in Africa a PHEIC (the second PHEIC declaration for mpox). The purpose was similarly to call for a higher level of global response, reflect the seriousness of the situation, and mobilize resources to control the outbreak.