Taiwan CDC Urges Travel Agencies to Stay Alert Amid Ebola Outbreak

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 26. In response to the severe Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today that while the travel alert remains at Level 2, it has requested the Tourism Administration to notify travel agencies to strengthen epidemic information dissemination and implement preventive measures. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on the 17th that the outbreaks constitute a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern' (PHEIC) and raised the risk level from 'high' to 'very high.' CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui stated at a routine briefing that cases in the DRC have surged from over 200 to nearly 1,000 in a short period, with over 100 deaths. Due to signs of cross-border transmission, the WHO adjusted the risk to the highest level. Tseng emphasized that Ebola is not transmitted via air or droplets but primarily through contact, and there is currently no evidence of airborne transmission. As international exported cases are limited, the global risk level remains low. There are no confirmed or suspected cases in Taiwan, and there is no need for panic. In addition to airport and port advocacy, Tseng noted that travel agencies and tour guides have been asked to strengthen epidemic information dissemination for those traveling to the region. Tseng urged travelers to follow the 'three no's and one yes' principle: do not touch blood, bodily fluids, or secretions of suspected cases; do not attend funerals or touch corpses; do not touch bats, primates, or other wildlife; and do practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. As the incubation period for Ebola is up to 21 days, travelers returning from the DRC, Uganda, or surrounding countries should undergo 21 days of self-health management. If symptoms appear, they should contact health authorities or call the 1922 epidemic prevention hotline. Furthermore, the CDC has issued a circular to medical institutions, reminding them to check the 'TOCC' (Travel history, Occupation, Contact history, and Cluster history) of patients.