US Issues Travel Advisory Over Escalating Ebola Outbreak in Western Uganda

The government of the United States has advised its citizens to reconsider non-essential travel to parts of western Uganda following a worsening Ebola outbreak that has also affected areas along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In a security and health notice released through its diplomatic mission, U.S. authorities said movement to the affected region is now restricted for government personnel, with only essential or mission-critical trips permitted. The decision comes amid concerns that the outbreak is intensifying in cross-border communities where surveillance and containment efforts remain challenging.

The advisory aligns with heightened global concern after the World Health Organization classified the outbreak situation in both Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, citing the risk of further regional spread.

Officials also confirmed that U.S. government staff have been instructed to avoid non-essential personal travel within western Uganda and to limit visits to healthcare facilities unless absolutely necessary, as part of broader precautionary measures aimed at reducing exposure risk.

The warning follows a recent travel health notice issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which placed Uganda under a Level 1 alert while maintaining a stricter Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for parts of eastern DRC, particularly Ituri Province, due to both the Ebola outbreak and ongoing security instability.

Authorities cautioned that Ebola remains a highly infectious and often fatal disease transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. Travelers returning from affected areas have been urged to monitor their health for up to 21 days and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms appear.

The U.S. embassy further advised citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time updates, while emphasizing that consular support in high-risk zones remains extremely limited.

Health experts continue to stress that containment efforts depend heavily on early detection, isolation of cases, and strict adherence to public health guidelines as regional health systems work to prevent wider spread across East Africa.