The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) convened an inter-ministerial meeting today (August 21) with representatives from the Bureau of Consular Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Immigration Agency under the Ministry of the Interior, Civil Aviation Administration under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and the Ministry of Education to discuss adjustments to border control measures. Following continued monitoring of the latest international developments regarding the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak and a review of the implementation of border quarantine control measures over the past three months, the meeting resolved to extend the border control measures for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for an additional 90 days until November 28, 2026. In addition, if no new cases are reported in Uganda by August 27, the control measures for Uganda will be lifted effective at 12:00 a.m. on August 28. 

Taiwan CDC stated that, according to information released by the World Health Organization (WHO) as of August 16, 2026, the number of confirmed cases in the DRC continued to rise, with signs of geographic spread. A cumulative total of 5,021 confirmed cases (including 2,378 deaths) had been reported, representing a case fatality rate of approximately 47%. The situation remained most severe in Ituri Province, which accounted for 84% of all confirmed cases nationwide. Although neighboring Uganda has reported a cumulative total of 20 confirmed cases, no new cases have been reported since June 21. All cases were associated with cross-border movement and healthcare exposures, with no evidence of community transmission. Uganda has initiated a 42-day period of enhanced monitoring, from the discharge of the last recovered patient on July 16 through August 27. According to WHO’s latest risk assessment dated August 14, the risk of transmission in the DRC remained “Very High.” The risk for all countries bordering the DRC, including Uganda, was assessed as "High” due to the ongoing threat of imported cases and subsequent transmission. The risk for the rest of Africa and the global community remained "Low." WHO urged all countries to maintain heightened surveillance and implement appropriate prevention and control measures. Notably, WHO downgraded Uganda's risk level from "Very High" to "High" and, effective August 14, removed Uganda from the countries covered by the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) designation, leaving the DRC as the only country remaining under this designation.

Furthermore, since May 2026, Taiwan has progressively implemented cross-agency border control measures and strengthened health education efforts both onboard flights and among travelers. Arriving travelers with a travel history to affected areas in the DRC or Uganda who develop symptoms are immediately referred for medical evaluation, while asymptomatic travelers are offered free voluntary testing at the airport and are required to conduct self-health management for 21 days after entry. Additionally, entry for residents of both countries was temporarily suspended for 90 days from June 2 through August 30. As of August 20, a total of 43 travelers with relevant travel history had entered Taiwan, including 5 from the DRC and 38 from Uganda. All had complied with Taiwan's self-health management requirements. Of these travelers, 10 voluntarily underwent testing, and all test results were negative.

Following a thorough risk assessment of the EVD situation in the DRC and Uganda, Taiwan CDC, in consultation with relevant government ministries, has finalized the adjustments to temporary border control measures as detailed below:

1. Extension of Temporary Border Control Measures for the DRC for 90 Days (Through November 28):

(1) Visa Restrictions: The issuance of visas to DRC residents will remain suspended. Entry will also remain suspended during this period for DRC residents who have already been issued visas. Exceptions remain limited to four categories of persons: degree students who have obtained admission approval from an educational institution in Taiwan, persons traveling for diplomatic or official purposes, non-R.O.C. spouses of R.O.C. nationals and their minor children, and persons approved for entry on a case-by-case basis for emergency or humanitarian reasons, such as attending a funeral or visiting a critically ill relative.

(2) Entry Quarantine Measures: R.O.C. nationals, holders of valid R.O.C. Alien Resident Certificates, and other persons eligible to enter Taiwan who have traveled to the DRC within 21 days prior to entry must proactively report to the airport quarantine station upon arrival in Taiwan. Quarantine officers will issue a “Self-Health Management Notice for Inbound Travelers” and offer free voluntary testing. Arriving travelers must conduct self-health management for 21 days after entry and comply with the requirements set out in the notice, including reporting their health status and, if symptoms develop, immediately calling the 1922 Disease Prevention and Consultation Hotline so that local health authorities can assist them in obtaining medical care.

2. Conditional Lifting of Measures for Uganda:

If no new cases are reported in Uganda by August 27, all temporary border control measures for Uganda will be lifted effective at 12:00 a.m. on August 28. Visa applications for Ugandan residents will once again be accepted, and the Travel Health Notice for Uganda will be lifted simultaneously.

Taiwan CDC explained that temporary border control measures and Travel Health Notice levels will be adjusted on a rolling basis as appropriate in accordance with the latest international outbreak situation and Taiwan’s border quarantine risk assessment. Arriving travelers with a travel history to affected areas must strictly adhere to all government quarantine measures. Upon arrival and during the subsequent 21-day self-health management period, individuals must accurately report their health status daily via the "Self-monitoring Report System." If travelers exhibit suspected symptoms of Ebola virus disease, such as fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or unexplained bleeding, they must immediately notify quarantine officers or call the 1922 Disease Prevention and Consultation Hotline so that the local health authority can assist them in obtaining medical care. Failure to comply with these measures will result in penalties under the Communicable Disease Control Act.