Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) stated today (May 27) that the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda—which was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 17, 2026—has escalated rapidly and grown increasingly severe in recent days. In addition to the outbreak hotspot in Ituri Province of the DRC, cases have also been reported in North Kivu Province, South Kivu Province, and neighboring Uganda, indicating continued geographic spread. As of May 24, the DRC had reported 112 confirmed cases (including 11 deaths) and 906 suspected cases (including 223 suspected deaths). A U.S. citizen was also confirmed to have contracted the virus following exposure at a local healthcare facility. Meanwhile, Uganda has also reported 7 confirmed cases (including 1 death), all of which are highly epidemiologically linked to the outbreak in the DRC.

Taiwan CDC stated that Taiwan has strengthened cross-agency border control measures effective immediately, including enhanced surveillance and screening at ports of entry, to reduce the risk of EVD importation. For travelers arriving from the DRC and Uganda, quarantine officers will conduct enhanced TOCC (Travel history, Occupation, Contact history, and Cluster history) and health assessments. All such travelers are required to undertake 21 days of self-health management upon entry. Travelers assessed on-site as having suspected EVD risk will be immediately transferred by ambulance to contracted hospitals for further examination and treatment. Local health authorities will also be promptly engaged to initiate subsequent disease prevention and control measures.

Taiwan CDC explained that the Ebola outbreak is currently in a rapid upward peak, and the actual case fatality rate may be far higher than the officially published data. This outbreak is unfolding within a complex environment intertwined with security threats and humanitarian challenges. Given the lack of approved vaccines or specific therapeutics for this viral strain, coupled with local political instability and high population mobility, prevention and control efforts have become extremely difficult. The WHO warned that the actual scale of infections may be significantly greater than currently reported, and assessed the risk level as "Very High" in the DRC, "High" in Uganda and the surrounding region, and "Low" globally.

Taiwan CDC further explained that, while the outbreak remains concentrated in these two countries and the overall risk to Taiwan is currently low, the possibility of imported cases cannot be completely ruled out due to growing international travel and global connectivity. In light of the continuous rise in cases and community clusters in the DRC, as well as locally transmitted cases in Uganda linked to imported infections, the outbreak remains difficult to contain and poses an ongoing risk of sustained transmission. Accordingly, Taiwan CDC has elevated the Travel Health Notice levels for the DRC and Uganda from Level 2: Alert to Level 3: Warning, effective today, in order to protect public health. Citizens are urged to avoid all non-essential travel to these destinations.

To strengthen border quarantine measures, Taiwan CDC noted that, in addition to enhancing public awareness through multimedia electronic displays, LED tickers, and standing signage at airports, in-flight quarantine announcements will be broadcast on all inbound international flights prior to arrival starting today. Travelers who have visited the DRC or Uganda within the past 21 days are strongly advised to voluntarily report to quarantine officers upon arrival. Quarantine officers will conduct TOCC and health assessments, and travelers are required to comply with the following quarantine measures:

•1. Symptomatic Travelers: Travelers assessed as exhibiting suspected EVD symptoms—such as fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or hemorrhagic manifestations—will be immediately transferred by ambulance to contracted hospitals for further examination and treatment. Local health authorities will also be promptly engaged to initiate subsequent disease prevention and control measures.
•2. Asymptomatic Travelers: Asymptomatic travelers will be issued a "Self-Health Management Notice (for Incoming Travelers with Travel History to Ebola-Affected Areas)". Upon entry, such travelers must undergo 21 days of self-health management, remain reachable by phone for follow-up by health authorities, measure their body temperature twice daily (morning and evening), and report their health status via the "Self-monitoring Report System ." If any of the aforementioned symptoms develop, individuals should call the Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline at 1922 immediately for assistance from local health bureau in seeking medical attention. Violators will be subject to penalties under the Communicable Disease Control Act.

Taiwan CDC reiterated its call for the public to avoid all non-essential travel to Ebola-affected areas. Individuals who must travel should closely monitor their health and adopt personal protective measures, including frequent handwashing and practicing respiratory hygiene, while avoiding contact with or consumption of wild animals. If any of the aforementioned symptoms develop upon arrival in Taiwan or during the 21-day self-health management period, individuals should immediately report to quarantine officers or call the 1922 hotline, so that health authorities may assist in arranging medical care.