Risk classification and contact tracing of travellers returning from affected areas – Ebola disease outbreak 2026 caused by Bundibugyo virus

No exposure

No exposure to symptomatic cases or persons under investigation 
E.g. General returning travellers from the affected areas, without any exposure

Provision of clear, accurate, and up‑to‑date information about Ebola disease, including transmission risks, symptoms, and required monitoring after potential exposure.

Instructions for action if symptoms develop after arrival, including targeted behavioural guidance.

Low-risk occupational exposure

Protected occupational exposure*
E.g. Properly protected (personal protective equipment – PPE - used) contact with suspected/confirmed Ebola disease case, bodily fluids, fomites (e.g. linens), or virus samples (lab specimens, cultures). Doffing of PPE presents an elevated risk of self-contamination if strict measures are not taken to doff PPE per a controlled doffing protocol under the guidance and observation of a trained observer.

*Contact using appropriate PPE is not considered significant exposure, however, context regarding PPE protocols used and their adherence should always be considered.

Self- monitoring (passive monitoring) for 21 days after last exposure: temperature and symptoms check twice a day

Provision of clear, accurate, and up‑to‑date information about Ebola disease, including transmission risks, symptoms, and required monitoring after potential exposure.

Instructions for action if symptoms develop after arrival including targeted behavioural guidance.

Low-risk exposure

Self- monitoring (passive monitoring) for 21 days after last exposure: temperature and symptoms check twice a day

Provision of clear, accurate, and up‑to‑date information about Ebola disease, including transmission risks, symptoms, and required monitoring after potential exposure.

Instructions for action if symptoms develop after arrival including targeted behavioural guidance.

Public health authorities may indicate more actions, depending on the circumstances 

High-risk exposure

Close contact without appropriate PPE / unprotected exposure
E.g. Close face-to-face contact (e.g. within <1 meter) or any direct, unprotected or improperly protected contact with a person who has suspected/confirmed Ebola disease, their bodily fluids, contaminated fomites, or infectious laboratory material—particularly when the person is symptomatic (e.g. coughing, vomiting, bleeding, or has diarrhoea)—or direct contact with materials contaminated by bodily fluids, without appropriate personal protective equipment, including eye protection.

Unprotected sexual contact with someone who has Ebola disease or a survivor without confirmed negative semen RT-PCR tests (2 negative tests ≥1 week apart)

Burial exposure 
E.g. Participation in burial rites with direct contact of the remains or bodily fluids without PPE

Percutaneous injury (e.g. with needle) or mucosal exposure to laboratory specimens suspected of containing orthoebolavirus or to bodily fluids, tissues, or specimens

Active monitoring for 21 days following last exposure:

- Temperature and symptoms check twice a day with active reporting to public health authorities or after active contact by public health authorities

Remain reachable

No travel abroad

Consider restriction of social interactions 

Consider restrictions of engagement in clinical activities and follow national occupational health plan

Provision of clear, accurate, and up‑to‑date information about Ebola, including transmission risks, symptoms, and required monitoring after potential exposure.

Instructions for action if symptoms develop after arrival including targeted behavioural guidance.

Public health authorities may indicate more actions, depending on the circumstances 

In case of clearly established percutaneous injury or mucosal exposure: restrictions of social interactions/contacts and movements as a precautionary measure.