The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced today (June 3) that Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang visited Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport this morning to review airport quarantine measures and interagency joint response operations. The visit was conducted in response to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration on May 17, 2026, that Ebola virus disease outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), and was aimed at ensuring Taiwan’s border preparedness and public health response capacity. Minister Shih also encouraged airport quarantine personnel to remain vigilant in safeguarding the health of the public.

During the visit, Minister Shih received a briefing on border response preparedness before touring the fever screening station and other facilities to review frontline quarantine operations. The National Immigration Agency’s Border Affairs Corps also briefed the Minister on immigration inspection procedures and the joint notification mechanism. Minister Shih expressed his appreciation to frontline border personnel and partner agencies, including CIQS staff, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, the Civil Aviation Administration and Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, as well as Taoyuan International Airport Corporation, international airports, and airlines, for their collective efforts in implementing border quarantine and interagency prevention measures. He also commended the agencies for establishing a comprehensive border coordination system that facilitates timely identification of travelers at risk and enhances the efficiency of public health response, helping safeguard community health and safety in Taiwan.

Minister Shih further noted that, given the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Ebola outbreaks in the two African countries and the characteristics of the virus, as well as the fact that early symptoms of Ebola virus disease are often nonspecific and may be easily overlooked, Taiwan will strengthen border surveillance to prevent imported cases, facilitate early case detection, and promptly activate domestic public health and medical response measures. Based on recommendations from an expert meeting held on June 2, Minister Shih announced that from June 3 to June 30, free testing will be offered at four international airports—Taipei Songshan Airport, Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taichung International Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport—to asymptomatic Taiwan nationals and inbound travelers with a travel history to the DRC or Uganda. In addition to being issued a Self-Health Management Notice upon arrival, eligible travelers will be offered voluntary testing free of charge. The specimen collection will be conducted by quarantine officers wearing appropriate personal protective equipment in testing rooms equipped with HEPA filtration systems. A 5 mL whole blood sample will be collected. The measure will remain under review and may be extended depending on the international Ebola situation. Medical referral mechanisms are in place at all ports of entry for travelers arriving from the aforementioned affected areas who develop symptoms. These travelers will be referred to contracted hospitals for medical evaluation, with relevant border agencies and airport companies assisting in expediting entry procedures.

Minister Shih once again reminded the public that the travel notice level for the DRC and Uganda has been raised to Level 3: Warning and urged people to avoid traveling to areas affected by Ebola virus disease. Inbound travelers are also urged to comply with all government quarantine measures. Upon arrival in Taiwan and during the 21-day self-health management period after returning to Taiwan, travelers are required to report their health status daily through the “Self-monitoring Report System.” If travelers develop symptoms consistent with Ebola virus disease, including fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding, they must immediately notify quarantine personnel or call the 1922 Disease Prevention and Consultation Hotline so that health authorities can arrange appropriate medical care. Minister Shih further reminded that, individuals who violate the aforementioned requirements may be fined between NT$10,000 and NT$150,000 pursuant to Subparagraph 1, Paragraph 1, Article 69 of the Communicable Disease Control Act. The public is urged to comply with these measures and work together to safeguard public health.