India’s Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday (May 24) advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Ebola Disease-affected countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, following the World Health Organisation’s declaration of the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).&nbsp;“In light of the reported outbreaks of Ebola Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO), under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on May 17, 2026, determined the situation to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC),” the health ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-breaks-silence-hours-after-white-house-shooting-bats-for-his-safe-and-secure-ballroom-plan-1779595058544">Trump breaks silence hours after White House shooting, bats for secure ballroom</a>&nbsp;The ministry noted that the World Health Organisation had issued the declaration amid growing concerns over the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in parts of central and east Africa. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also classified the outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS).&nbsp;According to the ministry, the WHO International Health Regulation Emergency Committee on May 22 issued temporary recommendations aimed at strengthening disease surveillance at points of entry. These include measures to “detect, assess, report and manage travellers with unexplained febrile illness arriving from areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection” while also “discouraging travel to areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection”.&nbsp;As of May 21, the WHO reported 746 suspected cases and 176 deaths among suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Across both the DRC and Uganda, 85 confirmed cases, including two in Uganda, and ten confirmed deaths, including one in Uganda, have been recorded so far. The ministry said countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, including South Sudan, were considered to be at high risk of transmission.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-no-one-can-beat-us-in-violence-we-proved-it-during-july-uprising-bangladesh-students-party-warns-pm-s-bnp-1779564646619">‘No one can beat us in violence, we proved it during July uprising’: Bangladesh students’ party warns PM’s BNP</a>&nbsp;Ebola Disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Health authorities have described it as a severe illness with a high mortality rate. The ministry added that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo strain. India has not reported any case of Ebola Disease linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain, the ministry reiterated.&nbsp;“In view of the evolving situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other affected countries, and in line with WHO’s recommendations, Government of India advises all Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan until further notice,” the statement added. &nbsp;

Following a WHO global health emergency declaration regarding an outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain in Central Africa, India has advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan.

India’s Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday (May 24) advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Ebola Disease-affected countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, following the World Health Organisation’s declaration of the outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). “In light of the reported outbreaks of Ebola Disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the World Health Organization (WHO), under the International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005, on May 17, 2026, determined the situation to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC),” the health ministry said in a statement. Also read: Trump breaks silence hours after White House shooting, bats for secure ballroom The ministry noted that the World Health Organisation had issued the declaration amid growing concerns over the spread of the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus in parts of central and east Africa. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has also classified the outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS). According to the ministry, the WHO International Health Regulation Emergency Committee on May 22 issued temporary recommendations aimed at strengthening disease surveillance at points of entry. These include measures to “detect, assess, report and manage travellers with unexplained febrile illness arriving from areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection” while also “discouraging travel to areas with documented Bundibugyo virus detection”. As of May 21, the WHO reported 746 suspected cases and 176 deaths among suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Across both the DRC and Uganda, 85 confirmed cases, including two in Uganda, and ten confirmed deaths, including one in Uganda, have been recorded so far. The ministry said countries bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, including South Sudan, were considered to be at high risk of transmission. Also read: ‘No one can beat us in violence, we proved it during July uprising’: Bangladesh students’ party warns PM’s BNP Ebola Disease is a viral haemorrhagic fever caused by infection with the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Health authorities have described it as a severe illness with a high mortality rate. The ministry added that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments for Ebola Disease caused by the Bundibugyo strain. India has not reported any case of Ebola Disease linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain, the ministry reiterated. “In view of the evolving situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other affected countries, and in line with WHO’s recommendations, Government of India advises all Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan until further notice,” the statement added.

Following a WHO global health emergency declaration regarding an outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola strain in Central Africa, India has advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan.

India advises citizens to avoid travel to Ebola-hit African nations after WHO emergency declaration

&nbsp;A little after Australia announced a A$66,000 fine or a five-year-long jail term for anyone entering the country from India, UN human rights have raised “serious concerns” about the effect of this decision on human rights.

The UN high commissioner for human rights has questioned the Scott Morrison government if the penalty is consistent with Australia’s human rights obligations.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-morrison-retreats-from-threat-to-jail-australians-escaping-covid-wracked-india-382685">PM Morrison retreats from threat to jail Australians escaping Covid-wracked India</a>

"We have serious concerns about whether the Biosecurity Determination – and the severe penalties which can be imposed for its breach – meets Australia’s human rights obligations," Rupert Colville, a spokesperson for the office said. "In particular, article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is binding on Australia, provides that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country."

This decision is stopping nearly 9,000 people from entering Australian borders after returning from India and will be reconsidered now as the government was heavily criticised.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-cameroonian-womans-plea-of-help-goes-viral-382824">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-cameroonian-womans-plea-of-help-goes-viral-382824/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has retreated from the decision and has claimed that nobody will be going to jail under this punishment. He also stressed that the decision has been taken to make sure all Australians stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision is due for reconsideration on May 15.

"Obviously, there needs to be a hardline taken as far as the overall act being in place, but nobody’s going to be jailed ... at this time," the deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack said. "The prime minister made it clear."

"We have taken this pause. We have made it in the national interests. We have done it, based on the best possible medical advice. It’s until May 15. We review it constantly, as you’d expect us to do,"&nbsp;he added.

A little after Australia announced a A$66,000 fine or a five-year-long jail term for anyone entering the country from India, UN human rights have raised “serious concerns” about the effect of this decision on human rights.

A little after Australia announced a A$66,000 fine or a five-year-long jail term for anyone entering the country from India, UN human rights have raised “serious concerns” about the effect of this decision on human rights. The UN high commissioner for human rights has questioned the Scott Morrison government if the penalty is consistent with Australia’s human rights obligations. Also read | PM Morrison retreats from threat to jail Australians escaping Covid-wracked India "We have serious concerns about whether the Biosecurity Determination – and the severe penalties which can be imposed for its breach – meets Australia’s human rights obligations," Rupert Colville, a spokesperson for the office said. "In particular, article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is binding on Australia, provides that no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of the right to enter his own country." This decision is stopping nearly 9,000 people from entering Australian borders after returning from India and will be reconsidered now as the government was heavily criticised. Watch | However, the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has retreated from the decision and has claimed that nobody will be going to jail under this punishment. He also stressed that the decision has been taken to make sure all Australians stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic. The decision is due for reconsideration on May 15. "Obviously, there needs to be a hardline taken as far as the overall act being in place, but nobody’s going to be jailed ... at this time," the deputy Prime Minister, Michael McCormack said. "The prime minister made it clear." "We have taken this pause. We have made it in the national interests. We have done it, based on the best possible medical advice. It’s until May 15. We review it constantly, as you’d expect us to do," he added.

UN accuses Australia of violating human rights over India travel ban

The government has issued a travel advisory asking citizens to follow certain precautionary measures while visiting China in the wake of the outbreak of an infection there because of a new strain of virus which is causing respiratory problems.

WION Dispatch: Travel advisory issued for Indians amid China virus outbreak