International air services remain safe amid Ebola outbreak

International air services remain safe amid Ebola outbreak

ICAO stresses critical importance of adherence to health protocols and WHO guidance 

MONTRÉAL, 25 May 2026 – While international air services remain safe, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is urging governments and aviation stakeholders to adhere strictly to World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations to mitigate any risk related to the current Ebola outbreak. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, new protocols have been established by ICAO for rapid, standardized information sharing among States, airlines, airports, and health agencies. The Convention on International Civil Aviation’s Annex 9 – Facilitation has a new chapter on health-related Provisions, and corresponding guidance material is included in the ICAO Facilitation Manual (Doc 9957). Digital innovations, such as electronic health declarations and contactless border processes, have been integrated into ICAO’s recommendations to track and manage health risks more effectively. 

Through the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA), ICAO is coordinating with WHO and its Member States to provide risk-based and evidence-informed mitigation measures to prevent the transmission of the disease through air travel while protecting the health of aviation personnel and passengers, reassure travelers, and maintain essential air connectivity. ICAO will continue to closely monitor the situation and issue updates as necessary to Member States and aviation stakeholders, in line with WHO guidance and as the situation develops. Updates will be published on the CAPSCA website and sent to CAPSCA members as the situation evolves.

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Current Guidance from the WHO on Ebola 

The current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda has been caused by the Bundibugyo virus, which does not spread through casual contact or through the air. Transmission occurs through direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person. 

On 17 May 2026, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Laboratory-confirmed cases of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), have been reported in Ituri Province, DRC. Uganda has also reported limited confirmed cases, considered to be linked to cross-border travel from DRC. National health authorities in DRC and Uganda, supported by WHO and international partners, have implemented outbreak control measures including rapid case detection & isolation, surveillance strengthening, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, community engagement, and screening at points of entry such as airports and border crossings. 

The first meeting of the WHO Emergency Committee was held on 19 May 2026. The committee agreed on the decision to declare the current outbreak as a PHEIC and not as a pandemic under the current IHR stipulations. The committee has released temporary recommendations for States and relevant Parties to respond to the event. Currently, WHO assesses the risk of transmission at different levels, providing specific advice to countries where the event is occurring, to countries with adjoining borders, and other remaining countries. The risk for transmission at the global level is considered to be low. 

Current WHO advice regarding international travel includes that countries should not close borders or impose restrictions on travel and trade, and that national authorities should work with airlines and other transport and tourism industries to ensure that they do not exceed WHO’s advice on international traffic. Entry screening outside the affected region is not considered necessary for passengers returning from areas at risk. 

In countries where the event is occurring, exit screening can be implemented for persons at international airports with unexplained illness presenting with fever and other symptoms consistent with potential BVD. Health authorities should ensure that confirmed cases and contacts of BVD are isolated and that such individuals do not undertake international travel unless it is part of an appropriate medical evacuation. 

Note - Screening is defined as “the presumptive identification of unrecognized disease or defect by the application of tests, examinations, or other procedures which can be applied rapidly” 

About ICAO 

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is leading its 193 Member States’ cooperation towards achieving air transport for all by 2050, with zero fatalities and net zero carbon emissions. A specialized agency of the United Nations, ICAO develops standards and policies for civil aviation and supports their implementation. 

About the CAPSCA 

Established in 2006, CAPSCA is a voluntary cross-sectorial, multi-organizational collaboration programme managed by the ICAO with support from the World Health Organization (WHO). It brings together international, regional, national and local organizations to combine efforts to improve preparedness planning and response to public health events that affect the aviation sector. 

Media Contact 
William Raillant-Clark 
ICAO Communications Officer 
media.relations [at] icao.int (media[dot]relations[at]icao[dot]int )

General Contact 
icaohq [at] icao.int (icaohq[at]icao[dot]int)