Is it safe to visit East Africa amid Ebola outbreak? The latest as confirmed cases continue to rise in Congo

The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak continues to spread through parts of Central and East Africa, with a rise in reported cases and deaths over the weekend. It comes as the UAE has warned citizens and residents against non-essential travel to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan – with a series of travel restrictions placed on those who have visited the countries.

The World Health Organisation said on Wednesday, 3 June, that one of Uganda’s confirmed cases involved a Congolese resident who visited the UAE before continuing to the country, adding that it was working with health authorities in both countries to assess any possible exposure during the journey and conduct contact tracing. No cases have been reported in the UAE.

Then, on Friday, 5 June, the UAE announced additional precautionary measures, including the suspension of all new visas for nationals of Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan, alongside entry restrictions for travellers arriving from those countries or transiting through third countries.

Within the region, Uganda closed its land border with the DRC on 27 May, with a limited range of exceptions for authorised Ebola response, humanitarian and security officials. The fast-moving situation follows the World Health Organisation’s declaration of the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, raising fresh questions for travellers heading to one of Africa’s busiest safari and gorilla-trekking regions.

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According to the latest official figures, the DRC had recorded 515 confirmed cases and 91 confirmed deaths across 25 health zones in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu by Thursday, 4 June. Uganda had recorded 19 confirmed cases and two deaths, bringing the outbreak-wide total to 534 confirmed cases and 93 deaths.

The outbreak remains concentrated in eastern DRC, particularly Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, with Uganda reporting cases around Kampala and Wakiso. Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya – East Africa’s largest aviation hub and a gateway for millions of tourists heading to destinations including the Masai Mara, Zanzibar and Rwanda’s gorilla trekking routes – have not been named as outbreak countries, but all have increased surveillance or entry screening for travellers from affected areas. Rwanda has meanwhile introduced some of the strictest regional measures, denying entry to foreign nationals who have travelled through or transited the DRC in the previous 30 days. Here's everything travellers need to know.

The information in this article is current as of Monday, 8 June 2026.

Jump to…

• What is Bundibugyo Ebola?
• How does Bundibugyo differ from other Ebola strains?
• How does Bundibugyo Ebola spread?
• Where are the current Ebola cases?
• How is the UAE affected?
• Are airlines cancelling flights?
• Is it safe to travel to East Africa right now?
• Has Ebola reached Kenya?
• Is it safe to travel to Kenya right now?
• Is it safe to travel to Uganda right now?
• Is it safe to travel to Tanzania and Zanzibar right now?
• Is it safe to travel to the DRC right now?
• Will travel insurance cover trips to East Africa?

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What is Bundibugyo Ebola?

The outbreak has been caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, a rarer species of the disease first identified in Uganda’s Bundibugyo district in 2007, near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Like other forms of Ebola, Bundibugyo virus disease can cause fever, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding. It spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected people or contaminated materials, rather than through the air like Covid-19 or flu.

According to the World Health Organisation, previous Bundibugyo outbreaks have generally recorded lower fatality rates than the better-known Zaire strain, although the disease is still considered highly dangerous and capable of spreading rapidly in areas with limited healthcare infrastructure.

How does Bundibugyo differ from other Ebola strains?

The key difference is that there are currently no approved vaccines or targeted treatments specifically available for the Bundibugyo strain. Most recent Ebola responses, including vaccines deployed during outbreaks in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, were developed for the Zaire strain of Ebola virus, which has historically caused the deadliest outbreaks.

Health authorities say those are not formally approved for Bundibugyo virus disease, although the strain is considered somewhat less lethal than Zaire Ebola on average, with historical fatality rates estimated at roughly 25 per cent to 50 per cent, compared with up to 90 per cent in some past Zaire outbreaks. But experts are warning that mortality rates vary widely depending on how quickly cases are detected, how effectively contacts are traced and the quality of local healthcare responses.

How does Bundibugyo Ebola spread?

Bundibugyo Ebola spreads in the same way as other forms of Ebola – through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated materials. Crucially, it's not considered an airborne virus in the way Covid-19, flu or measles are. People generally become infectious only once symptoms begin, which means casual contact, such as briefly passing someone in an airport or sitting near someone without symptoms, is considered much lower risk than direct physical contact with a sick person.

The virus can also spread through contact with infected animals, particularly bats and primates, which is why health authorities advise travellers not to handle bushmeat or wildlife in outbreak areas. Hospitals and funerals have historically been among the highest-risk environments during Ebola outbreaks, particularly where protective equipment, sanitation or infection control procedures are limited. Family members caring for sick relatives are also at a higher risk.

Symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure and typically begin with fever, fatigue, muscle pain and headaches before progressing to vomiting, diarrhoea and, in severe cases, bleeding and organ failure.

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Where are the current Ebola cases?

The outbreak has so far resulted in 515 confirmed cases and 91 confirmed deaths in the DRC, according to government figures dated Saturday, 6 June. Confirmed infections have been reported across at least 25 health zones in the eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, with Ituri continuing to account for the overwhelming majority of cases.

Uganda had reported 19 confirmed cases and two confirmed deaths by Friday, 5 June, alongside one probable case and one probable death. Cases have been detected principally in Kampala, with an earlier infection also reported in neighbouring Wakiso district. Ugandan health authorities say several infections have been identified among known contacts, while others have involved people with travel links to the DRC.

Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda have not reported confirmed cases linked to the current outbreak. However, all three have increased surveillance and border controls because of their transport links with the affected countries and the frequency of cross-border travel in the region.

How is the UAE affected?

No Ebola cases have been reported in the UAE, and health authorities have stressed that there is no evidence of transmission within the country.

The World Health Organisation confirmed on Wednesday, 3 June that one of Uganda’s Ebola patients was a Congolese resident who travelled through the UAE. WHO said it was working with health authorities in both countries to assess any potential exposure during the journey and conduct contact tracing where necessary.

In response to the evolving situation, the UAE has introduced a series of precautionary measures. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised citizens and residents against non-essential travel to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan.

The country has also announced that all new visas for nationals of those three countries will be suspended from 1pm on Saturday, 6 June 2026. Travellers who have spent more than 21 days outside the affected countries before arriving in the UAE are exempt from the restrictions.

Are airlines cancelling flights?

KLM has so far cancelled three flights to and from Entebbe in Uganda, citing travel and entry restrictions linked to the Ebola outbreak and the impact on its crew. The affected service operates between Amsterdam and Entebbe via Kigali, with the airline describing the disruption as temporary.

Uganda Airlines has suspended flights between Entebbe and Kinshasa. Uganda’s civil aviation authorities have also said flights between Uganda and the DRC have been suspended, with authorities separately suspending flights to and from Bunia, with exceptions only for approved humanitarian, medical and emergency movements.

While commercial flights between the UAE and the affected countries continue to operate, the UAE has announced new entry restrictions linked to the outbreak. From Saturday, 6 June, new visas for nationals of Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan will be suspended, while travellers arriving from those countries – including via transit hubs elsewhere – will face entry restrictions unless they have spent more than 21 consecutive days outside the affected countries before travelling to the UAE.

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Is it safe to travel to East Africa right now?

For most mainstream safari and beach itineraries in Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar, there is currently no blanket Ebola-related “do not travel” warning in place from the UK or US government. Kenya and Tanzania have not reported confirmed cases in the current outbreak, and the main change for most visitors is increased health screening, arrival questions or additional checks if they have recently travelled through Uganda or the DRC.

Rwanda is more complicated. The country has not reported a confirmed case, and tourism and business activity are continuing. However, Rwanda has introduced strict rules for foreign nationals who have travelled to or transited through the DRC in the previous 30 days, and the UK government advises against all but essential travel to some areas near the DRC border.

Uganda should be treated more cautiously because it has recorded several cases and active restrictions. Travellers may encounter screening on arrival or departure, restrictions near the DRC border, disruption to public gatherings and possible airline changes. Anyone with plans involving Kampala, Entebbe, western Uganda or gorilla trekking routes should monitor government advice closely and speak to their tour operator.

The DRC is the highest-risk destination in the region, particularly the eastern provinces where cases have been concentrated. Non-essential travel to affected areas should be avoided, and travellers should follow their own government’s official advice carefully.

The UAE has warned citizens and residents against non-essential travel to Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan. It has also announced that, from 1pm on Saturday, 6 June, all new visas for nationals of the three countries will be suspended and entry restrictions imposed on travellers arriving from those countries, including those travelling via transit points. Travellers who have spent more than 21 days outside the affected countries before arriving in the UAE are exempt from the restrictions.

Has Ebola reached Kenya?

No confirmed Ebola case has been detected in Kenya. However, Kenya has activated enhanced preparedness and response measures because of the outbreak in eastern DRC and imported cases in Uganda. Kenya’s alert includes intensified screening and surveillance at airports, airstrips, seaports, land border crossings and transit points, as well as the deployment of rapid response teams and emergency operations centres.

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Is it safe to travel to Kenya right now?

The UK government has updated its Kenya travel advice to say that travellers arriving in Kenya, particularly from Uganda, Ethiopia and the DRC, may be subject to enhanced health screening because of the outbreak centred in the DRC.

Kenya’s Ministry of Health says it has heightened preparedness and response measures, including enhanced screening at high-risk points of entry, 24-hour laboratory capacity, activated isolation and holding facilities, rapid response teams and cross-border coordination with Uganda and the DRC. For visitors heading to Nairobi, the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Laikipia, Diani, Watamu or Lamu Island, the main practical change is likely to be health screening or questions at arrival, rather than a countrywide travel warning.

Is it safe to travel to Uganda right now?

The CDC currently lists Uganda at Level 2 for Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease, meaning travellers should practice enhanced precautions, while noting that no vaccine or specific treatment has been approved for Bundibugyo virus disease.

The UK government says travellers may encounter passenger locator forms, temperature checks and other screening on arrival or departure. On Wednesday, 27 May, Uganda closed its border with the DRC, allowing limited exceptions for authorised Ebola response, humanitarian and security officials. Flights between the two countries and several forms of cross-border passenger transport have also been suspended.

Uganda had reported 15 confirmed cases and one death by 3 June. Two patients had recovered, while the latest six infections were identified among known contacts of previous cases. Travellers should avoid contact with anyone showing symptoms, avoid funerals or healthcare settings in outbreak areas unless urgent, avoid contact with bodies of people who have died of Ebola or unknown illness, and avoid bushmeat or wildlife.

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Is it safe to travel to Tanzania and Zanzibar right now?

Tanzania has not been named as an outbreak country, but travellers arriving from Uganda and the DRC may face heightened health screening. The UK government says Tanzania’s Ministry of Health issued a travel advisory on Monday, 18 May, announcing enhanced screening for travellers arriving from Uganda and the DRC after the WHO declared the outbreak a global health emergency.

Is it safe to travel to the DRC right now?

The outbreak has mostly been reported in the eastern DRC, including Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, and the CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice advising travellers to reconsider non-essential travel to those provinces because of Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease.

The UK FCDO advises against all travel to several eastern DRC provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, and warns that travel insurance could be invalidated if travellers go against FCDO advice. Travellers should avoid non-essential healthcare visits, funerals, contact with dead bodies, traditional healers, bushmeat and wildlife in affected areas, and should monitor for symptoms for 21 days after leaving an outbreak area.

Will travel insurance cover trips to East Africa?

For Kenya and Tanzania, travellers should check whether their itinerary includes any areas where their government advises against travel, as travelling against official advice can affect insurance cover. The FCDO explicitly warns that insurance could be invalidated if travellers go against its advice.

For the DRC, the insurance risk is much higher because the FCDO advises against all travel to multiple eastern provinces, including Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. For Uganda, travellers should check whether their policy covers disruption, quarantine, medical evacuation, denied boarding or itinerary changes linked to Ebola screening and border measures.

Rwanda also now needs to be treated carefully in insurance copy, particularly for travellers who have recently been in DRC or whose itineraries include border areas near the country's borders. Anyone combining safari, gorilla trekking, overland transfers or multi-country East Africa routes should ask their insurer for written confirmation that the full itinerary is covered, including transit points, lodges, internal flights, border crossings and any quarantine-related disruption.