Ebola 2026: Updated Employer Advisory — Travel Bans, Case Counts & Required Actions
Updated 30 May 2026. The Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda is now outpacing response efforts. International travel restrictions are in force across the US, Canada, and multiple countries. Here is everything businesses with staff in the region need to know.
Situation Update — 30 May 2026
The WHO has formally upgraded its assessment: the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda is now outpacing response efforts. The outbreak remains a declared Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), first declared on 17 May 2026.
This post has been updated to reflect material changes since the original advisory. The situation has escalated significantly — particularly with the virus reaching Kampala (Uganda's capital), the first confirmed case outside Africa, and a wave of unilateral travel bans from governments worldwide.
About the Bundibugyo Strain
This outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola — a rarer species for which there is currently no approved vaccine and no licensed antiviral treatment. All response efforts rely on supportive care, isolation, and contact tracing only. Key clinical facts:
- No approved vaccine or antiviral: Unlike the Zaire strain, the Bundibugyo strain has no approved countermeasures available for deployment.
- Fatality rate up to 50%: Case fatality rates range from 25% to 50% without intensive clinical management.
- Not airborne: Transmission requires direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. Standard exposure-avoidance protocols remain effective.
- Incubation period: 2–21 days: Individuals may not show symptoms for up to three weeks after exposure.
- Healthcare worker risk: Multiple healthcare worker infections have been confirmed in this outbreak.
Current Case Count (as of late May 2026)
| Country / Region | Suspected Cases | Confirmed Cases | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| DRC (Ituri, North & South Kivu) | 906 | 125 | 223 |
| Uganda (Kampala) | — | 9 | 2 |
| Outside region (Germany) | — | 1 | — |
One confirmed case has been recorded outside of Africa — an American healthcare worker who contracted the virus while working in the DRC and is currently receiving specialised care in Germany. This marks the first international export of this outbreak.
Travel & Country Status
| Country | Status | Advisory |
|---|---|---|
| DRC | Active Outbreak | Suspend all non-essential travel immediately |
| Uganda | Active Outbreak — virus now in Kampala | Suspend all non-essential travel immediately |
| South Sudan | Elevated Risk | Monitoring active — proximity and border activity |
| Rep. of Congo / Gabon / Rwanda | No confirmed cases | Precautionary monitoring active |
| Ivory Coast | No confirmed cases | Normal operations |
Why Containment Is Particularly Difficult
Conflict zones as epicentres
The hardest-hit areas in the DRC — Mongbwalu and Bunia — are active conflict zones with long-standing militia activity. Response teams cannot safely reach remote villages or reliably track contacts. Personnel operating in these areas face compounded risk from both the outbreak and the security environment.
Community resistance
Medical facilities have been targeted and set on fire by local crowds. During a recent attack on a referral hospital in Mongbwalu, dozens of isolated Ebola patients fled the facility — significantly complicating containment. Traditional mourning practices involving physical contact with the deceased are contributing to transmission chains that are difficult to interrupt.
International Travel Restrictions Now in Force
The global travel landscape has changed materially since our last update. Multiple governments have enacted unilateral entry bans and quarantine requirements. Businesses must account for these when planning any movement of staff.
Entry Bans & Suspensions
United States: Entry is banned for non-citizens who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days. This ban explicitly includes Green Card holders (Lawful Permanent Residents). US citizens returning from these areas must route through designated hub airports (JFK, ATL, IAD, IAH) for mandatory health screening. Green Card holders and visa holders travelling to or through the US should seek legal advice before attempting re-entry.
Canada: A 90-day suspension has been imposed on all temporary and permanent resident visas for individuals residing in DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning from these areas must undergo a mandatory 21-day quarantine, even if asymptomatic.
The Bahamas: Rolling 30-day ban on all foreign travellers who have visited the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past month.
Bahrain & Jordan: Entry suspended for all foreign travellers coming directly from, or who have transited through, the DRC or Uganda within the last 30 days. Returning nationals are exempt but subject to strict quarantine.
Rwanda: Entry suspended for any traveller who has visited or transited through the DRC in the past 30 days. Returning Rwandan citizens and permanent residents may enter but are subject to mandatory quarantine.
Local Border Closures
Uganda has closed its border with the DRC entirely — suspending all flights to and from the DRC, halting cross-border passenger transport (buses and ferries), and restricting land border movement to essential travel at designated checkpoints only.
Screening-Only Countries (No Formal Ban)
India, Thailand, and Kenya have deployed advanced health screening, temperature tracking, and mandatory travel-history verification at international airports. Thailand additionally requires a 21-day quarantine for any arriving passenger who has been in affected African regions, regardless of symptoms.
Contractors and personnel returning from affected regions should anticipate extended border processing times and must carry documentation of their travel dates and health status at all border crossings.
What This Means for Employers
Duty of Care
UK employers have a legal duty of care to employees working overseas. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and common law, you must take reasonably practicable steps to protect employee health and safety — including providing current risk information, ensuring appropriate insurance coverage, and maintaining documented emergency procedures.
Insurance and Medical Evacuation
Verify immediately that international health insurance and medical evacuation (medevac) policies remain valid for DRC and Uganda under an active PHEIC. Some policies include carve-outs for declared health emergencies that require a specific endorsement. Confirm coverage before an incident occurs — not after.
Work Permits and Immigration Documents
With multiple countries now imposing entry restrictions and extended screening, having valid and current work permits, visas, and residency documentation is critical. Employees with expired or lapsing documents may face serious complications at border crossings — including detention — under emergency conditions.
EOR and Employment Continuity
If you are using an Employer of Record in DRC or Uganda, ensure your provider is actively monitoring the situation and is prepared to support emergency repatriation or temporary relocation. Employment contracts should be reviewed for force majeure clauses and business continuity provisions.
Required Actions for All Personnel
- Any personnel currently in DRC or Uganda should check in with their supervisor immediately. If you have staff on the ground in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, or Kampala, contact us directly so we can assist with risk assessment and, if necessary, evacuation planning.
- Suspend all non-essential travel to DRC and Uganda with immediate effect.
- Confirm vaccinations are current and ensure all personnel carry appropriate documentation.
- Verify embassy registration for all in-country personnel.
- Check entry requirements for the destination and transit countries of any planned travel — restrictions are changing rapidly.
- Audit work permits and visa documentation to ensure nothing lapses during an extended crisis period.
- Confirm medevac and insurance coverage is valid under the current PHEIC designation.
- Brief returning personnel: Any staff returning from affected countries must report fever, fatigue, or other symptoms within 21 days of travel.
How Uniglo Financial Can Help
Uniglo Financial provides payroll, Employer of Record, immigration, and visa services across more than 70 countries, with established operations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. During declared health emergencies, our compliance and global mobility teams support clients with:
- Emergency work permit extensions and documentation review for affected employees
- Coordination with in-country legal partners in DRC, Uganda, and neighbouring jurisdictions
- Temporary relocation of employees to alternative jurisdictions where operationally viable
- EOR continuity planning to ensure payroll and employment obligations are met without interruption
- Immigration advisory for staff affected by entry bans, particularly those with US Green Cards or Canadian residency
If you have employees currently deployed in Central or East Africa and have not yet assessed your exposure, contact our London advisory team immediately.
Updated 30 May 2026. Sources: WHO, CDC, AP News, Africa CDC, Fragomen, CNBC Africa, BMJ. This is not medical or legal advice — consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to your situation.