The Ministry of Health has received advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) that the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), but does not meet the criteria of a pandemic emergency.
We are working closely with the World Health Organization and other partner agencies to monitor the situation. However, the current risk to New Zealand is low.
The main risk is from travelling to affected countries. Although Ebola causes severe illness, it is not easily transmitted.
The WHO is supporting health authorities in DRC and Uganda to strengthen their public health response, including by implementing point of entry screening and other infection prevention and control measures.
At this stage, the WHO advises there is no need for passengers returning from DRC and Uganda to be automatically screened in airports outside the affected regions.
There are processes and systems in place to ensure any traveller who arrives in New Zealand unwell is checked and managed appropriately.
Given the low risk to New Zealand, there are no plans at this stage to change existing screening measures at the border. We will continue to monitor the evolving situation.
More information
- Ebola – Health New Zealand website
- Screening measures at the border – Health New Zealand website
- Advice for travellers – SafeTravel website
- Daily updates on acute public health events – World Health Organization
