On 17 July 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the ongoing Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The Ugandan government has also confirmed an outbreak of Ebola in Kasese District in western Uganda, originating in the neighbouring DRC.

To date, there have been over 2500 confirmed or probable cases of Ebola in the DRC, resulting in over 1600 deaths since the outbreak began in August 2018. The outbreak is predominantly affecting two provinces in the DRC, North Kivu and Ituri.

Travellers to the DRC and Uganda should consult a travel medicine clinic or medical practitioner 4 to 8 weeks before the journey to determine the need for any vaccinations and antimalarial medication. Travellers in the affected areas should avoid exposure to Ebola virus and practice good hygiene. 

To minimise risk of infection, travellers in the affected areas should avoid contact with:

• Blood or body fluids (e.g. vomit, urine, faeces and saliva);
• Persons or dead bodies suspected to be infected;
• Wild infected animals, alive or dead, or their raw or undercooked meat; and
• Used needles and used objects that may have been contaminated. 

The latest updates can be found on the World Health Organization website. We encourage all New Zealanders living or travelling offshore to register with SafeTravel.

Associated Advisories:

• See the Democratic Republic of the Congo travel advisory
• See the Uganda travel advisory

Reviewed:17 Jul 2019, 10:00