Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa: What Canadian Travellers Need to Know

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is a reminder that international travel can sometimes take place against a rapidly changing infectious-disease landscape.

The 2026 outbreak is particularly concerning because it is caused by Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola virus for which there is currently no licensed vaccine or specific antiviral treatment. The World Health Organization reports that the outbreak has expanded across multiple provinces in the DRC and has also involved Uganda.

For travellers, however, it is important to put the situation into perspective: the risk of Ebola to most travellers remains low when appropriate precautions are followed. Ebola is not spread through the air like influenza or COVID-19. Transmission occurs primarily through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or with the bodies of people who have died from the disease.

Why This Outbreak Is Different

The current outbreak involves Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), rather than the Ebola virus responsible for previous major outbreaks in West Africa.

There is currently one licensed WHO-prequalified Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, but it is approved for prevention of Ebola virus disease caused by Ebola virus (EBOV). The WHO does not currently recommend using Ervebo routinely against Bundibugyo virus because there is insufficient evidence that it provides reliable protection against this species. That makes prevention, early recognition, infection-control measures, surveillance, and community engagement especially important.

How Ebola Spreads

Ebola is primarily transmitted through contact with blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person who is experiencing illness, contaminated materials, the body or bodily fluids of someone who has died from Ebola, certain infected animals, and some bodily fluids from people who have recovered from Ebola. Ebola is not spread through the air.

Travellers should avoid contact with anyone who is seriously ill in an outbreak area and should not participate in funerals or burial practices involving direct contact with the body when Ebola is circulating.

What This Means for Canadian Travellers

The Government of Canada currently advises travellers to exercise significant caution regarding affected destinations. As of July 23, 2026, Canada lists the DRC at Level 3 — Avoid non-essential travel because of the Ebola outbreak and other security considerations. Uganda is listed separately at Level 2 — Practise enhanced health precautions.

Canada has also implemented temporary border measures for travellers who have recently been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan. These measures are currently scheduled to remain in effect until August 29, 2026. As with all outbreak-related measures, travellers should confirm current requirements before departure, since public health guidance can change with little notice.

Before You Travel: Get a Personalized Travel-Health Assessment

Ebola is only one component of travel-health planning. Depending on your destination, itinerary, activities, and health history, you may also need protection against diseases such as yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, polio, meningococcal disease, rabies, malaria, and other routine vaccine-preventable diseases.

The Government of Canada recommends speaking with a healthcare provider or travel-health clinic preferably about six weeks before departure. Even if your trip is sooner, a travel-health consultation can still be worthwhile.

At Destinations Travel & Immunization Clinic (DTC), we assess your actual itinerary rather than simply looking at the country name. Your accommodation, rural versus urban travel, length of stay, planned activities, occupational exposure, and previous vaccinations can all affect your recommendations.

Why Current Travel Advice Matters

The Ebola situation demonstrates why travel medicine cannot be reduced to a list of routine vaccines. Disease outbreaks can change quickly, and new information may affect whether travel is advisable, which regions should be avoided, vaccination requirements, infection-prevention precautions, entry and exit requirements, post-travel monitoring, and what to do if you develop symptoms after returning to Canada.

A professional travel-health assessment helps you understand the risks before you leave, rather than trying to respond to them after you arrive.

A Message From the Frontline

Canadian healthcare and humanitarian workers involved in the current response are seeing the enormous human consequences of the outbreak. Their experiences also highlight an important public-health lesson: controlling outbreaks requires much more than medicines and equipment. Contact tracing, infection prevention, safe and dignified burial practices, early diagnosis, supportive medical care, and — critically — trust between healthcare teams and communities are all essential components of the response.

For travellers, the lesson is straightforward: know the risks, prepare before departure, and follow local public-health guidance.

Planning a trip to Africa or another destination with changing health risks? Book a travel-health consultation with Destinations Travel & Immunization Clinic before your departure. We can help you develop a personalized plan based on your destination, itinerary, and activities.

Travel informed. Travel prepared. Travel healthier.

Travel-health recommendations can change as outbreaks evolve. Always consult current Government of Canada and destination-specific guidance before departure.

The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please do not initiate, modify, or discontinue any treatment, medication, or supplement solely based on this information. Always seek the advice of your health care provider first. Full Disclaimer