Following the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) declaration on 16 May 2026 that the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) assesses that the current risk to the Caribbean region is low.
The declaration of a PHEIC underscores the need for heightened international and regional vigilance and coordination. CARPHA continues to monitor this outbreak closely through its global scanning early warning mechanisms. Additionally, CARPHA leverages its integrated suite of regional early warning and surveillance tools to support timely detection and situational awareness. These include event-based and indicator-based surveillance systems with early warning alerts, such as the Tourism and Health Information System (THiS), the Caribbean Vessel Surveillance System (CVSS), national syndromic surveillance through the District Health Information System (DHIS) and the Talkwalker social listening platform.
This outbreak is caused by a relatively rare strain known as the Bundibugyo ebolavirus for which there are currently no licensed vaccines nor specific treatments. Furthermore, Ebola transmission requires close, direct physical contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person who is already showing symptoms, or with contaminated materials.
Speaking on the WHO declaration of the EVD as a PHEIC and the region’s preparedness, Dr Lisa Indar, CARPHA’s Executive Director shared, “Despite the low risk, CARPHA is urging its Member States to maintain a high state of readiness. Because the Caribbean is a major global travel hub, the primary way the virus could arrive is through an infected traveler. CARPHA provides a layered, yet proactive approach to early warning, supporting Member States in the early detection, verification, and response to emerging health threats”.
CARPHA continues to work with a wide range of international and regional partners that share information on cross-boundary spread of diseases to promote health security. On May 18th, CARPHA partnered with the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (Caricom IMPACS) to reactivate an advanced electronic screening system at border entry points to securely flag and review the travel history of passengers coming from or passing through the affected areas in Africa, without disrupting normal travel and trade.
What is Ebola, and what are the symptoms?
Ebola is a severe, often fatal illness. The current outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain, which historically has a lower death rate than some other Ebola strains, but still causes severe illness. Symptoms usually appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure and include:
- Fever and severe headache
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Sore throat
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Stomach pain
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding (in some cases)
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected persons, as well as through contact with surfaces and materials contaminated with these fluids. Infection can also occur through exposure to infected wildlife. Persons infected with Ebola become infectious as they develop symptoms.
While this event does not meet criteria for a pandemic, it represents an extraordinary event requiring coordinated international action. CARPHA Member States are reminded to remain vigilant due to the possibility of international travel-associated cases. CARPHA will continue to monitor this evolving health threat closely and will provide regular updates to all partners across the region as new information becomes available.
CARPHA
