Is an international trip on your bucket list this summer? Have you got your flight tickets booked and your visa application sorted – or are you in the planning stage? Things are changing fast in the travel space this year and you could be significantly affected. This is not about the Middle East crisis, though its impact on UAE residents and tourists has been sizeable, to say the least. This is about Ebola outbreak 2026, a notorious virus that has compelled countries across the globe to tighten their entry requirements.
If you have been planning an international trip in the near future, please check the official Ebola travel advisory of the UAE and your destination country, too. For example, just a couple of days ago, the UAE Foreign Ministry asked all its nationals and residents to hit pause on their travel plans to Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Emirates has also asked its customers to check their destination country’s entry requirements as carefully as possible, as the Dubai-based airline takes the Ebola situation seriously.
Similarly, Canada, the US, India, Thailand, Mexico, Bahrain, Jordan and multiple other countries across the globe have announced tightened measures to combat Ebola outbreak 2026 better. In this updated guide, explore all the steps different destinations are taking, including the UAE. Plus, understand the steps you need to take if you have been planning an international trip from or through the UAE this summer. Before the summer travel demand soars further, scroll through this article for all the things you need to understand before jetting off. There is no reason to panic, but there also is no reason to slack off on your safety.
What is the Bundibugyo Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)?
The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a serious, often fatal illness affecting human beings and other primates. In the past couple of months, this disease has been quite pronounced, as a rare strain of the virus has been detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Since Kinshasa declared the outbreak last month, health agencies have recorded hundreds of deaths and more suspected cases of the Bundibugyo (BVD) strain of Ebola in DRC. This means that your travel experience in 2026 is likely to change.
Before getting into the details of all the steps different countries across the globe have taken to keep their citizens safe, including the UAE, take a careful look at all the important things about Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD). These handful of bullet points are likely to help you keep yourself safe, though the most important thing you can do during this time is taking a note of your country’s and your destination country’s Ebola travel advisory. Please get your information from official or trusted sources only.
1. Bundibugyo (BVD) strain of Ebola is a zoonotic disease, and fruit bats are suspected to be the natural reservoir.
2. Human infection occurs if you come in contact to the blood or secretions of infected animals, such as bats or non-human primates.
3. BVD eventually spreads from one person to another through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected humans or contaminated surfaces or items.
4. The incubation period for Bundibugyo Virus Disease ranges from 2 to 21 days.
5. People are usually non-infectious until the onset of symptoms.
6. Early symptoms of Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) are non-specific, such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. These progress to gastrointestinal symptoms, organ dysfunction, and haemorrhagic manifestations (in some cases).
7. No approved vaccines or specific treatments currently exist for the disease.
For More Information: who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON603
Which Countries Have Been Impacted by Ebola Outbreak 2026?
The latest Ebola outbreak has considerably impacted Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). South Sudan, on the other hand, has also been classified as a high-risk destination because of its proximity to the countries seeing an outbreak. Therefore, if you have plans to visit any of these three destinations, it is highly recommended to pause your plans for the time being. Let your country flag these places as safe and the Ebola outbreak also limit itself to a sizeable extent. Then, plan something. Though South Sudan, Uganda, and DRC are beautiful places, exploring them in the current situation is most likely not recommended.
UAE Travel Advisory over Ebola Outbreak 2026
Late last month, the Foreign Ministry of the UAE made an announcement for all its citizens and residents regarding the Ebola outbreak 2026. If you have plans to travel to Uganda, South Sudan, or DR Congo, please think again. It does not matter if you are eyeing a leisure trip or a business trip. The UAE is advising against travel to these countries, as the Ebola-related health situation continues to change.
But if you are currently staying at one of the three countries being discussed, please exercise the utmost caution. UAE passport holders and residents in Uganda, South Sudan, and DRC are asked to pay heed to the health and safety instructions issued by the local authorities. You can also register on the Tajudi service. Use your UAE Pass, submit your application, and you shall get an SMS as confirmation – it is as simple as that.
The Dubai-based Emirates airline has also issued an Ebola travel advisory for its customers, asking them to check their destination country’s entry requirements prior to travel. Since many countries across the globe have or are starting to implement Ebola-related health measures, please pay attention to the necessary advisories before taking any further step. Get your information from official government channels only.
Check Here: mofa.gov.ae/en/MediaHub/News/2026/5/30/UAE-Congo-South-Sudan
Canada Ebola Travel Advisory
Canada is one of the first countries to issue an Ebola travel advisory, as the health situation globally continues to change. The government has introduced temporary border measures to reduce the risk of Ebola disease entering and spreading in Canada. Some of the key steps include temporarily suspending certain immigration documents for residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan until 28 August 2026. During this suspension period, even your approved temporary resident visa, electronic travel authorisation (eTA), or permanent resident visa do not permit you to travel to Canada.
1. From 30 May 2026, Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act, and foreign nationals entering Canada (provided they have been in DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda in the past 21 days) are going to be assessed once they land.
2. Before you take a flight from the UAE to Canada, please take care of some considerations, such as:
– ensuring you have a suitable quarantine plan for 21 days that begins on the day you enter Canada
– ensuring access to basic necessities, such as food and medication
– ensuring access to local public health services
3. Once you land in Canada, you are most likely going to be assessed. If you do not have symptoms of Ebola, you need to quarantine for 21 days. But if you have symptoms, you need to take a medical examination immediately, remain in isolation for 21 days, and get medical treatment at a health facility or other suitable place.
4. Please abide by all the rules and regulations, as failure to comply carries a maximum penalty of up to $1,000,000 in fines and/or imprisonment for 3 years, or both.
For More Information: canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/ebola/border-measures.html
US Ebola Travel Advisory
Besides Canada, the US is also one of the first countries to issue a set of instructions for its citizens over Ebola outbreak 2026. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has temporarily restricted entry for certain travellers, if they have been to Uganda, South Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the recent past. You should monitor for Ebola symptoms for 21 days after leaving affected countries. Please take a look at the bullet points for better clarity.
1. On 18 May 2026, CDC, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other key federal agencies in the US announced enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and public health measures to better combat Ebola and prevent its entry into the country.
2. If you have travelled to any country affected by Ebola, please monitor CDC health notices and seek medical attention at the earliest if you develop any symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, or bleeding for no reason, in less than 21 days of travel.
3. Under a recent CDC order effective 18 May 2026, certain non-US citizens earlier been in Uganda, South Sudan, or DRC in the past 21 days are temporarily prohibited from entering the country to help stop the spread of the disease.
4. Your flight may also get changed. The potentially affected travellers are going to have their travel re-routed to arrive at select airports in the US, such as John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).
5. During your public health screening after landing in the US, you may be escorted to a designated screening area, asked to complete a brief questionnaire about travel history and symptoms, have your temperature checked, and be observed for signs of illness.
For More Information: cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/returning-travelers.html
India Issues Travel Instructions over Ebola Outbreak 2026
So far, India has not reported any case of Bundibugyo Ebola disease. But the country is constantly monitoring the situation to make sure that the virus does not enter or spread. On 24 May 2026, India issued a travel advisory for citizens to skip non-essential travel to Uganda, South Sudan, and DRC. In order to keep things under control, Indian authorities have also initiated enhanced screening and surveillance measures at different international airports across the country. Plus, instructions on screening, quarantine, clinical management, laboratory testing, and infection prevention practices have also been released. If you are an Indian expat in the UAE and have recently been planning to travel to Uganda, South Sudan or DRC and back to India, please think again. If there is any possibility to hit pause, please do so.
Check Here: pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2265153®=3&lang=1
Thailand Ebola Travel Advisory
Thailand has also introduced a set of regulations to tackle Ebola outbreak 2026 in the best manner possible. If you have been to any of the Ebola affected countries and are planning to get back to Thailand from or through the UAE, please take a look at this section. Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee has elevated strict control over Ebola virus, approving quarantine guidelines for travellers from ‘DR Congo – Uganda’ for at least 21 days. Please try to abide by all official rules, or you could be facing both imprisonment and fines.
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) is responsible for preparing quarantine facilities for travellers entering the country from 27 May 2026. In case of no symptoms, travellers shall be quarantined at a designated place. But in case of having symptoms, the person is likely to be isolated at a designated state medical facility. Plus, there is a possibility that people coming from or through Uganda or DRC enter Thailand through Suvarnabhumi Airport only. Please stay updated on the latest information from official sources.
Check Here: ddc.moph.go.th/oic/news.php?news=57062&deptcode=oic&news_views=111
Mexico Ebola Travel Advisory
Mexico has put the Ebola risk level at ‘High Level’ and has asked its nationals to skip all non-essential travel to affected destinations. On 28 May 2026, the country’s Federal Ministry of Health issued an update of of the Preventive Travel Advisory aimed at people planning to travel to Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mexico is recommending against all non-essential travel to these areas and to consult the epidemiological situation and entry, exit, or transit requirments before travelling. Though there are no licensed vaccines or specific antiviral treatments for Bundibugyo Ebola disease, early and supportive medical care can significantly help improve the prognosis.
For More Information: gob.mx/cms/uploads/attachment/file/1081323/APV-EVE-28MAY2026_Actualizacion.pdf
In a Nutshell
One thing is clear: Ebola outbreak 2026 is most likely to affect summer travel plans of dozens of UAE residents. Since the UAE is a melting pot of cultures, more than a hundred different nationalities are possibly calling this magnanimous country their home. But many of these residents also get back home for a handful of days or travel to an international destination for leisure or business purposes. If you are one of them, please pay careful attention to your home country’s, destination country’s, and the UAE’s Ebola travel advisory before jetting off. Please check if you need quarantine or not. Get your information from official or trusted sources only, and make sure to abide by all official instructions as not doing so could result in serious penalties, such as fines and imprisonment. Last but not least, do not panic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Ebola Outbreak 2026
1. What is the latest UAE travel advisory over Ebola outbreak 2026?
The UAE has asked its nationals and residents to avoid travel to Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) unless absolutely necessary. This is part of the UAE’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all.
2. What should UAE citizens in Ebola-affected countries do?
If you are a UAE national currently present in one of the Ebola-affected countries, such as Uganda and DRC, please exercise the utmost caution, pay attention to health and safety instructions issued by local authorities, register in the UAE Tajudi service, and contact the Emirati Foreign Ministry in case of any emergencies.
3. Is there a vaccine for Ebola?
Unfortunately, there are no licensed vaccines or specific antiviral treatments for the Bundibugyo Ebola disease. But timely identification and isolation of potentially affected travellers significantly reduces the chances of transmission of the virus.
4. What are the symptoms of Ebola virus?
Some Ebola symptoms may appear suddenly, such as fever, fatigue, malaise, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. But some signs, like vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, and liver or kidney issues, may appear later. On the other hand, bleeding is not a common symptom of Ebola and may appear in advanced stages of the disease.
5. Should I avoid travel to Uganda, South Sudan and DRC?
For the time being, it is highly recommended to do so, unless extremely necessary. It does not matter if you are planning to travel for leisure or business purposes. Please listen to your country’s and destination country’s Ebola travel advisory, quarantine regulations, and other instructions carefully before making any decision.
