ICAO Issues Fresh Air Travel Alert Over Deadly Ebola Outbreak

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has urged governments and airlines around the world to strictly enforce health safety protocols as fears grow over the rapidly spreading Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.

 The warning comes amid rising infection numbers in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring Uganda, where health authorities have already confirmed multiple cases linked to the outbreak.

According to the World Health Organization, the rare Bundibugyo strain is spreading faster than medical teams can contain it, prompting the global health body to declare the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Current figures indicate that the DRC has recorded more than 900 suspected Ebola cases and around 220 suspected deaths, while Uganda has confirmed at least seven infections so far.

In response, ICAO called on airlines, airports and aviation regulators to reactivate emergency health coordination systems introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UN aviation agency stressed the need for rapid information sharing, health monitoring and strict compliance with WHO travel guidance. ICAO also highlighted the growing importance of digital health technologies, including electronic health declarations and contactless border screening systems.

 The organisation said such measures are critical to preventing international transmission while minimizing unnecessary disruptions to global air travel. 

WHO, however, advised countries not to impose blanket border closures or travel bans, warning that such actions could worsen humanitarian conditions and disrupt emergency response operations.

Instead, the agency recommended targeted exit screening procedures at airports in affected countries to identify passengers showing symptoms associated with Ebola infections.

Health authorities were also advised to ensure confirmed cases and high-risk contacts do not travel internationally unless medically evacuated under controlled conditions.

The Bundibugyo Ebola strain remains especially concerning because there is currently no approved vaccine or targeted treatment specifically designed for it. Most available Ebola vaccines were developed primarily for the more common Zaire strain responsible for previous deadly outbreaks in West Africa.

Global health agencies continue to race against time to contain the outbreak before it spreads further across the continent and beyond.