Canada advises against travel to eastern Congo amid Ebola outbreak

The federal government is advising Canadians to avoid travel to eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo following an Ebola outbreak involving the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain with no approved vaccines or treatments.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 500 suspected cases have been reported, including at least 130 deaths. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said Tuesday he is concerned about the “scale and spread of the epidemic.”

Global Affairs Canada updated its travel advisory to warn against all travel to Ituri province, where the outbreak was first declared. Cases have also been reported in neighbouring North Kivu province and across the border in Uganda.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said there are currently no Ebola-specific travel screening measures at Canadian borders, but officials are continuing to monitor the situation and could update public health measures if required.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday that an American doctor working in Congo tested positive for Ebola. The agency also announced temporary entry restrictions for most travellers who have recently been in Congo, Uganda or South Sudan.

Symptoms of Ebola can include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea. In later stages, patients may experience unexplained bleeding or bruising, according to WHO guidance.