The World Health Organization has declared the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.
Following the developments, the Government of India advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan until further notice.
Health authorities said the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a severe viral haemorrhagic fever with a high mortality rate. Currently, no approved vaccine or specific treatment is available for this strain.
India has not reported any case linked to the Bundibugyo strain so far.
Indian citizens currently residing in or travelling to the affected countries have been advised to strictly follow local public health guidelines and exercise heightened precautions.
