Ebola disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo

Border changes related to Ebola disease

There are temporary border measures in place to reduce the risk of Ebola disease entering and spreading in Canada. The health risk of Ebola disease to Canadians is considered low.

Travellers, including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act and foreign nationals, who in the previous 21 days, have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan, will be assessed upon arrival in Canada. You will be required to comply with public health measures, including mandatory quarantine. These measures will end on August 29, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT.

Immigration documents for residents of these countries have also been suspended until August 28, 2026, at 11:59 pm EDT.

Learn more about border measures for travellers entering Canada.

Learn more about mandatory quarantine measures.

Original publication date: May 15, 2026

Updated: June 1, 2026

Affected destinations

Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)

Key points

• Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses that are spread through contact with the infected bodily fluids of people or animals experiencing Ebola disease symptoms. 
• The disease is serious and often fatal.
• The risk of getting Ebola disease is low for most travellers if the proper precautions are followed.
  
  • Ebola disease is not spread through the air or through casual contact.

Current situation

• There is an outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), caused by the Bundibugyo virus.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
• Local authorities are responding to the outbreak with support from WHO and international partners.
• Cases have been reported in Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces.
  
  • Most cases have been reported in Ituri province, with related cases reported in neighbouring Uganda.
  • Cases have been reported in Goma (North Kivu), near the border with Rwanda.
• Additional cases may be reported outside Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu.
• There are no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD); early supportive care can improve survival.

Learn more:
Democratic Republic of the Congo travel advice
Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda (May 29, 2026) (WHO)
First meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee regarding the epidemic of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda 2026 (May 22, 2026) (WHO)

Recommendations

Before you leave

• Talk to a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic, preferably about 6 weeks before your departure date, to get personalized health advice. Even if your travel date is coming up soon, it's still worth making an appointment.
• Sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to stay connected with the Government of Canada in case of an emergency abroad or an emergency at home.

Registration of Canadians Abroad

While you're away

If you are travelling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, follow local health guidelines and take precautions to protect yourself.

• Avoid contact with people who have Ebola disease symptoms (fever, rash, muscle pain), and anything that could be contaminated with their bodily fluids.
• Avoid contact with the bodies of people who have died of Ebola disease or an unknown illness during funerals and burials. 
• Avoid visiting healthcare facilities in the outbreak area for nonurgent medical care or for nonmedical reasons.
• Avoid close contact with live and dead animals, as both can spread the viruses.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol for 20 seconds or until dry.

The Government of Canada’s offices abroad can assist Canadian citizens in case of an emergency. Carry the contact information for the nearest Canadian office. The Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa is open 24/7. 

Embassy of Canada to the Democratic Republic of Congo, in Kinshasa
Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Learn more:

Ebola disease: Prevention

Returning to Canada

Do not travel if you have symptoms of Ebola disease.

Due to the Ebola disease outbreak, you may be subject to health exit screening measures when leaving the DRC, such as completing a health form and temperature checks.

If you begin to feel sick during your travel back to Canada, you should inform the flight attendant and/or a border services officer as soon as possible.

From May 30 (23:59 pm EDT) to August 29, 2026 (23:59 pm EDT), Canada will have temporary border measures in place under the Quarantine Act for travellers, including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act and foreign nationals, who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days. They will be assessed upon arrival in Canada and will be required to comply with public health measures.

Ebola disease: Border measures for travellers entering Canada

Learn more:

If you become ill with Ebola disease
If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return
Government of Canada introduces temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak

About Ebola disease

Ebola disease is a severe and often fatal disease. It is caused by a group of viruses.

Ebola disease is spread through:

• direct contact with the body fluids or tissues of an infected animal or person experiencing Ebola disease symptoms
• sexual contact with someone who has Ebola disease
• contact with semen or breast milk from a person who recovered from Ebola disease.
• contact with the body or bodily fluids of an animal or person that died from Ebola disease

Ebola disease is not spread through the air or through casual contact, like sitting in the same room.

Symptoms of Ebola disease begin 2 to 21 days after exposure. They can start suddenly and include

• fever
• feeling tired
• headache
• muscle pain and weakness
• sore throat
• rash
• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea 

It can become more severe, with some people experiencing severe bleeding (hemorrhaging), loss of consciousness and death.

Learn more:

How Ebola disease spreads
Symptoms of Ebola disease

Information for health professionals

Ebola disease prevention, monitoring and surveillance recommendations – CATMAT
Ebola disease: For health professionals and humanitarian aid workers – Canada.ca