The federal government is advising Canadians not to travel to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo area affected by an Ebola outbreak that has killed 131 people. The World Health Organization has expressed concern about the scale and speed of the outbreak.
Travel Advisory Details
In a statement released Wednesday, the government urged Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to the affected region in east DRC. The advisory comes as the WHO warns of the outbreak's rapid spread, with cases reported in multiple provinces.
WHO Concerns
The World Health Organization has raised alarms about the outbreak's intensity, noting that it has already claimed 131 lives. Tent consignments headed for Congo were seen at a WHO warehouse in Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday, May 18, 2026, as international aid efforts ramp up.
Canada's travel advisory is part of a broader international response to contain the virus. The government recommends that Canadians in the region follow local health authorities' guidance and consider leaving if safe to do so.
The outbreak has overwhelmed local healthcare systems, with health workers struggling to contain the virus amid ongoing conflict and limited resources. The WHO has deployed teams to assist with contact tracing and vaccination campaigns.
