The Indian government has issued a travel advisory for its citizens following the Ebola (Budibugo virus) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. While no cases have been reported in India so far, authorities are urging citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to these three affected African countries.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2026, after the Africa CDC also classified it as a public health emergency. The new strain, named Budibugo, is a variant of the Ebola virus that causes severe hemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate. Currently, there are no approved vaccines or specific treatments available for this particular strain, making early detection and containment critical.

Indian citizens residing in the affected countries have been advised to take necessary precautions and follow local health authority guidelines. The advisory aligns with WHO’s temporary recommendations, which include enhanced border screening, surveillance for unexplained fevers among travelers from affected areas, and discouraging non-essential travel to regions where Budibugo virus cases have been reported.

In response to the outbreak, Cochin International Airport (CIAL) has strengthened precautionary measures. A 24-hour surveillance system, thermal screening, visual inspection, and 21-day travel history checks have been implemented. International travelers are required to submit self-declaration forms to immigration authorities.

The new Budibugo strain was identified on May 14, and scientists initially struggled to identify it, mistaking it for the older Ebola virus. Over 300 people are estimated to have been infected, with the death toll crossing 130 by the second week. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and internal bleeding.