WHO and ICAO coordinate aviation response to Ebola outbreak in Central Africa

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are intensifying coordination with governments, airlines and airports following the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, as aviation authorities move to contain health risks while maintaining international air connectivity.

ICAO said international air transport operations remain safe but urged aviation stakeholders to strictly follow WHO recommendations linked to the current outbreak involving the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

The outbreak was formally designated a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on 17 May 2026.

Aviation sector activates post-pandemic health coordination systems

The latest Ebola response is one of the clearest tests yet of aviation health coordination systems introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic.

ICAO said new international protocols now allow rapid and standardised information sharing between:

• National governments
• Airlines
• Airports
• Public health authorities
• Border agencies
• International aviation regulators

The agency noted that updated health-related provisions have been incorporated into Annex 9 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, which governs facilitation and passenger processing standards.

Additional operational guidance has also been included within ICAO’s Facilitation Manual (Doc 9957).

The organisation said aviation health preparedness now relies heavily on digital systems developed after COVID-19, including:

• Electronic health declarations
• Contactless border processing
• Digital passenger information sharing
• Real-time public health coordination tools

These systems are intended to improve disease monitoring while reducing disruption to global air travel.

CAPSCA becomes central coordination platform

ICAO said the aviation response is being coordinated through the Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA).

Through CAPSCA, ICAO and WHO are working with member states to implement risk-based mitigation measures designed to reduce transmission risks linked to air travel.

According to ICAO, the programme focuses on:

• Protecting passengers and aviation personnel
• Maintaining essential air connectivity
• Supporting evidence-based health screening
• Avoiding unnecessary travel restrictions
• Improving coordination between aviation and health agencies

The organisation said updates will continue to be issued to governments and aviation stakeholders as the outbreak evolves.

WHO maintains low global transmission assessment

WHO currently assesses the global transmission risk associated with the outbreak as low.

The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo virus, a strain of Ebola virus disease that spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids rather than through airborne transmission or casual contact.

Laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported in Ituri Province in the DRC, while Uganda has also confirmed limited cases believed to be linked to cross-border movement from the DRC.

National authorities in both countries, supported by WHO and international partners, have already implemented multiple outbreak-control measures.

These include:

• Rapid case identification and isolation
• Contact tracing
• Infection prevention procedures
• Community engagement campaigns
• Border and airport screening
• Surveillance strengthening

WHO convened its Emergency Committee on 19 May 2026, where members agreed the outbreak met the criteria for a PHEIC under the International Health Regulations, though not a pandemic declaration.

WHO advises against border closures and travel bans

A key element of the current WHO guidance involves discouraging governments from imposing broad international travel restrictions.

WHO stated that countries should not:

• Close borders
• Halt international flights
• Restrict trade
• Introduce measures exceeding WHO recommendations

Instead, authorities are encouraged to coordinate closely with airlines, airports and tourism operators to ensure proportionate and evidence-based responses.

WHO also said entry screening outside affected regions is currently not considered necessary for passengers returning from at-risk areas.

However, exit screening may be implemented at airports within affected countries for travellers displaying symptoms consistent with possible Bundibugyo virus disease.

Health authorities were further advised to ensure that:

• Confirmed Ebola cases remain isolated
• Identified contacts do not undertake international travel
• Medical evacuations follow appropriate containment procedures

Aviation industry faces balancing act between safety and connectivity

The outbreak places renewed attention on the aviation industry’s role in responding to international public health events without repeating the severe global transport disruption experienced during COVID-19.

Industry analysts note that ICAO and WHO are now pursuing a more targeted strategy focused on risk-based intervention rather than large-scale shutdowns of international mobility.

The aviation sector’s current response reflects broader lessons learned from the pandemic period, including the importance of:

• Coordinated global communication
• Standardised health protocols
• Digital health integration
• Real-time risk monitoring
• Evidence-led policy decisions

Unlike respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, the Bundibugyo virus does not spread through airborne transmission, significantly reducing broader aviation-related contagion risks.

Even so, aviation authorities remain cautious because international air travel can accelerate cross-border movement of infected individuals if monitoring systems fail.

Airports and airlines continue preparedness monitoring

Airports and airlines worldwide are expected to continue monitoring guidance from both ICAO and WHO while maintaining routine operations.

The agencies stressed that maintaining passenger confidence remains essential as the outbreak response develops.

Aviation regulators and public health authorities are expected to continue evaluating:

• Airport health screening readiness
• Emergency response coordination
• Passenger communication systems
• Crew protection procedures
• Border health management capabilities

ICAO said it will continue monitoring the outbreak closely and provide additional updates as conditions evolve.

For the global aviation sector, the current Ebola outbreak represents another significant test of the post-pandemic international health coordination framework designed to protect both public safety and the continuity of global air transport.