PUBLIC ADVISORY # 32 | 25 May 2026.
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services advises Fijians to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and neighbouring countries with shared land borders, including South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. Anyone travelling to these destination is advised to take precautions to avoid possible exposure to Ebola Disease by:
- Avoiding contact with sick individuals;
- Avoiding contact with animals in forested areas;
- Avoiding the consumption of bushmeat or wild animal meat; and
- Practicing good personal hygiene and regular handwashing.
Travelers should also monitor themselves for symptoms while in affected countries and for 21 days after leaving. Signs and Symptoms Travelers returning from affected countries should monitor themselves for symptoms for 21 days after departure from the affected countries.
Symptoms may include:
- Fever;
- Severe headache;
- Muscle pain;
- Weakness or fatigue;
- Sore throat;
- Vomiting or Diarrhoea;
- Rash; and
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Anyone who develops symptoms during this monitoring period should immediately self-isolate and contact their nearest health facility or local health authority by telephone for advice. Early notification will help healthcare workers safely assess and manage suspected cases while protecting others from possible exposure. The Ministry is also working closely with partner agencies at international points of entry, including Nadi International Airport, to implement targeted health screening and follow-up measures for travellers who have visited affected countries within 21 days prior to arrival in Fiji. The Ministry will continue to monitor the global situation closely, maintain surveillance for early detection of any cases, and work with World Health Organisation and partner agencies to adapt the national response as necessary.
The Ministry is currently reviewing and monitoring the global situation on the Ebola Disease and is updating necessary prevention, preparedness, response plans and protocols that will be implemented should the need arise. These measures include strengthened surveillance and case identification, review of border health protocols at international points of entry, preparedness for laboratory testing of suspected cases, and review of infection prevention and control and case management protocols. Although the risk to Fiji from this Ebola outbreak remains low, preparedness is a necessary proactive measure. The Ministry is also liaising with relevant agencies to determine whether any Fijian nationals are currently in the affected areas.
These measures are in place after the WHO declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for Ebola Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda last week. The declaration also stated that the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency, which is the highest level of global alert. As of 22nd May 2026, Uganda has reported two confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) both linked to areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where BVD transmission has been documented. BVD is a rare species of the Ebola Virus. The WHO has assessed the risk as “Very High” for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and “High” for Uganda as of 22 May 2026.
WHO has also noted that the epidemiological situation differs between the two countries in terms of the scale of the outbreak and the context in which response efforts are being implemented. According to WHO reports the Democratic Republic of the Congo had recorded a total of 516 suspected Ebola cases, of which 33 had been laboratory confirmed. In addition, 131 suspected deaths had been reported, including four confirmed deaths.
