International air services continue to operate safely amid the current Ebola outbreak, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The agency is urging governments and aviation stakeholders to strictly follow World Health Organization (WHO) guidance and health protocols to minimize any potential risks.
ICAO noted that enhanced health coordination measures introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic — including rapid information sharing, digital health declarations, and contactless border processes — are helping States and the aviation sector manage public health risks effectively.
The current outbreak, affecting parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, involves the Bundibugyo virus, which spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and not through the air. WHO has assessed the global transmission risk as low and continues to advise against travel or trade restrictions.
ICAO, through its CAPSCA programme, is working closely with WHO and Member States to support evidence-based mitigation measures while maintaining essential international air connectivity.