The ongoing Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan is prompting tighter airport health checks and travel advisories across multiple countries. For international travellers with itineraries connecting through or originating from affected regions — or those transiting through major African, Gulf, or Southeast Asian hubs — these developments are more immediately relevant than they might initially appear.
Thailand
Thailand acted quickly following the World Health Organization’s emergency declaration, formally classifying the DRC and Uganda as affected regions from 21st May 2026. Travellers arriving from these countries now face:
- Mandatory Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) health declarations
- Health screening on arrival at airports
- Temperature checks
- Possible follow-up monitoring by Thai health authorities
Thai nationals are also required to register through the Thai Health Pass system. Travellers using Bangkok as a transit hub to East Asia or Australia should anticipate additional questioning if their itinerary includes any stops in Central or East Africa.
South Korea
South Korea has expanded quarantine screening under its Q-CODE health declaration system. The DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda are now under enhanced monitoring protocols. Travellers may be required to:
- Submit a Q-CODE health declaration before arrival
- Complete additional health forms at the airport
- Undergo enhanced arrival screening
- Comply with additional quarantine checks where indicated
South Korea has also upgraded travel advisories for specific zones — particularly the Ituri region of the DRC and parts of Uganda. Digital health declarations are increasingly becoming a standard and permanent component of international travel to South Korea.
India
India has issued a formal advisory covering passengers arriving from or transiting through DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan. Affected travellers are required to report to airport health officials before clearing immigration if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Unexplained bleeding
The advisory also applies to travellers who have had direct contact with suspected Ebola patients. The Indian government is additionally requesting all returning travellers from affected regions to monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days after arrival and report any illness immediately. Current measures reflect heightened surveillance rather than outright entry restrictions — though airport checks can be tightened rapidly if additional cases are confirmed.
United States
The United States has gone further than most countries, introducing targeted entry restrictions. Based on current CDC guidance:
- Non-US nationals who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days may face entry restrictions
- Enhanced screening and monitoring protocols are already in place at US airports
- Additional access restrictions may be applied depending on the situation
The US has also raised its travel advisory for the DRC to Level 4: Do Not Travel. Travellers — including Indian passport holders — who have conducted African business travel or safari itineraries should review airline and transit conditions carefully before travelling onward to the United States.
What Travellers From All Countries Should Prepare For
Borders are not closing. What is happening is a rapid expansion of health surveillance at airports worldwide. Travellers with recent itineraries connected to the affected provinces may face:
- Health declaration forms at check-in or on arrival
- Temperature screening
- Enhanced arrival health inspections
- Contact tracing requirements
- 21-day self-monitoring obligations after arrival
The WHO has classified the regional risk as high due to cross-border movement between DRC, Uganda, and neighbouring countries. International risk is currently assessed as low — but that assessment can change quickly if transmission patterns shift.
Conclusion
Travellers with any recent connection to the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda should proactively review the health entry requirements at every country on their itinerary — not just their final destination. Complete all required health declarations before departure, monitor for Ebola symptoms for 21 days after returning from an affected region, and contact airport health officials immediately if symptoms develop. Check airline-specific transit requirements as well — some carriers may have their own restrictions in place ahead of formal government announcements.