The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), acting on the recommendations of its Emergency Consultative Group, has officially declared the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus disease outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.
The declaration was made under Article 3, Paragraph F of the Africa CDC Statute, which empowers the organisation to lead and coordinate responses to significant public health emergencies across the continent. The statute mandates the Africa CDC to “coordinate and support Member States in health emergency responses, particularly those declared a PHECS or Public Health Emergency of International Concern, as well as health promotion and disease prevention through health systems strengthening.”
The decision follows consultations at political, strategic and technical levels, including with H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, African Union Commission chairperson; H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and African Union Champion for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response; and Member States affected or considered at risk.
The declaration was based on recommendations from the Emergency Consultative Group, chaired by Professor Salim Abdool Karim, which reviewed the evolving epidemiological situation, regional risks, response capacities and the implications of the confirmed Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain.
At the time of writing, about 395 suspected cases and 106 associated deaths had been reported in the DRC, mainly in the Mongwalu, Rwampara and Bunia Health Zones. In Kampala, Uganda, two cases and one death had been reported.
Africa CDC said it is deeply concerned about the high risk of regional spread due to intense cross-border population movement, mining-related mobility, insecurity in affected areas, weak infection prevention and control measures, community deaths occurring outside formal healthcare systems, and the proximity of affected areas to Rwanda and South Sudan.
US Announces Travel Measures
In response to the ongoing Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies are taking public health measures aimed at reducing the risk of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus entering the United States.
Under authority granted by Sections 362 and 365 of the Public Health Service Act and their implementing regulations, the CDC is implementing targeted public health measures based on current epidemiological evidence, ongoing risk assessments and the serious nature of Ebola Virus Disease. The order is in effect for 30 days.
The measures include enhanced public health screening and traveller monitoring for individuals arriving from areas affected by Ebola outbreaks in the region. Entry restrictions also apply to non-US passport holders who have been in Uganda, the DRC or South Sudan in the previous 21 days.
The CDC will coordinate with airlines, international partners and port-of-entry officials to identify and manage travellers who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus. Measures also include enhanced port health protection response activities, contact tracing, laboratory testing capacity and hospital readiness across the United States, as well as the continued deployment of CDC personnel to support outbreak containment efforts in affected regions.
The United States Department of State has also urged Americans not to travel to the DRC, South Sudan or Uganda for any reason, and to reconsider travel to Rwanda due to the Ebola Bundibugyo Virus disease outbreak in the region. Travel Advisories for the DRC, South Sudan and Uganda are now Level 4, Do Not Travel, while Rwanda is listed as Level 3, Reconsider Travel.
Africa CDC Responds to Travel Restrictions
Africa CDC has taken note of the US Government’s decision to issue a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for the DRC and to impose entry restrictions on non-US passport holders who have recently travelled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan.
The agency said it recognises the sovereign responsibility of every government to protect the health and security of its people, but raised concern over the use of broad travel restrictions as a primary public health tool during outbreaks.
The Africa CDC stated that public health measures during outbreaks must be guided by science, proportionality, transparency, international cooperation, and adherence to international health regulations. The agency’s position is that generalised travel restrictions and border closures are not the solution to outbreaks.
It warned that such measures can create fear, damage economies, discourage transparency, complicate humanitarian and health operations, and divert movement towards informal and unmonitored routes, potentially increasing public health risks rather than reducing them.
“The fastest path to protecting all countries in the world is to aggressively support outbreak control at the source,” said H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC Director General. “Global health security cannot be achieved through borders alone. It is achieved through partnership, trust, science and rapid investment in preparedness and response capacity.”
Africa CDC has called on countries within Africa and globally to refrain from imposing unnecessary travel or trade restrictions in response to the outbreak. The agency said the world must avoid repeating the mistakes of previous health emergencies, where fear-driven measures caused major economic damage without delivering proportionate public health benefits.
“Africa needs solidarity, not stigma. Africa needs investment, not isolation. Africa needs partnerships that strengthen both economies and health systems,” Africa CDC stated.
South Africa Pledges Support
Africa CDC has also welcomed a US$2.5 million pledge from the Government of South Africa to support the ongoing Ebola response in the DRC and Uganda through the Africa CDC Africa Epidemics Fund.
The contribution followed communication by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to African Heads of State and Government on the evolving Ebola outbreak and the urgent need for strengthened continental solidarity and coordinated action.
Africa CDC said South Africa’s contribution sends a strong message that Africa stands united in protecting the lives and well-being of its people, and supports the continent’s health security and sovereignty.
The funding will contribute to critical response operations, including continental coordination, surveillance, laboratory systems, rapid response deployment, infection prevention and control, cross-border preparedness and support for affected communities.
Another setback for aviation and travel sector
For aviation, this is a story that will need to be watched closely. Ebola is first and foremost a public health emergency, but the knock-on effects are quickly felt by airlines, airports, border agencies and passengers, especially when travel advisories, screening measures and entry restrictions start to change.
The timing is also difficult. African aviation is already dealing with high operating costs, fuel uncertainty and the wider impact of geopolitical instability, including conflict-related disruption in key regions. Additional health-related restrictions add another layer of pressure, particularly for routes that depend on regional movement, business travel, aid operations and cross-border connectivity.
The recent hantavirus reports, while different in scale and risk, are a reminder that aviation and public health remain closely linked. For now, the key issue will be whether authorities can contain the Ebola outbreak at source, while keeping travel measures targeted, proportionate and clearly communicated.
