Taiwan Extends Free Ebola Airport Screenings Amid Congo, Uganda Outbreaks

Taiwan is extending its free airport screening for Ebola until August 30 to bolster defenses against imported cases from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The measure, initially set to end June 30, reflects ongoing concerns about the persistent outbreaks in both African nations.

Dr. Tseng Shu-hui, deputy director-general of Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control (CDC), announced the extension, emphasizing enhanced quarantine measures. While residents from the DRC and Uganda are still temporarily barred from entering Taiwan, travelers arriving from these regions will be offered voluntary, free testing at major international airports. Those without symptoms upon arrival will undergo assessment by quarantine personnel and be provided with testing services. All travelers returning from these areas within the past 21 days are required to adhere to a 21-day self-health management protocol, reporting their condition daily via an online system.

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To prevent the epidemic from spreading overseas, in addition to continuing to temporarily suspend the entry of residents from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, we are also strengthening airport quarantine measures.

The DRC continues to grapple with a severe outbreak, recording 1,274 confirmed cases and 360 deaths as of June 27, with a fatality rate of approximately 28.3%. The epidemic is concentrated in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases, including two deaths and 15 recoveries, with current cases linked to cross-border movement and healthcare exposure, rather than widespread community transmission. A case was also reported in France, involving a humanitarian aid doctor returning from the DRC.

The World Health Organization (WHO) assesses the risk of global spread as low but maintains a "very high" risk assessment for the DRC. Taiwan maintains a Level 3 "Warning" advisory for both countries, urging citizens to avoid travel to the affected areas. Passengers exhibiting symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bleeding are urged to immediately notify quarantine personnel or call the epidemic prevention hotline.

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To prevent the epidemic from spreading overseas, in addition to continuing to temporarily suspend the entry of residents from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, we are also strengthening airport quarantine measures.