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
Contact with symptomatic case (non-fluid exposure)
E.g. Close face-to-face contact (e.g. within not coughing, vomiting, bleeding, or with diarrhoea
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
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.
