Quick facts
- In May 2026, an outbreak of the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Ebola spreads through direct contact with infectious bodily fluids or contaminated surfaces.
- Starting May 30, 2026, Federal temporary border measures (external link) include mandatory 21‑day quarantine for asymptomatic travellers who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan within the previous 21 days.
- Symptomatic travellers will be referred to hospital for assessment (under the Quarantine Act). Travellers without a suitable place to quarantine will be provided with an appropriate location.
- There are no cases in Canada and the risk remains low, but clinicians should be alert for patients with compatible symptoms and epidemiologic risk (travel/exposure within 21 days). Call Halton Region Public Health at 311 immediately for guidance on testing and management.
- To support healthcare professionals, Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Clinical Risk Assessment Tool (external link) (2026) can be used to conduct a risk assessment.
- Appropriate testing and specimen requirements guidance can be found in the VHF Test Information Sheet (external link) and Diagnostic Testing for Viruses That Cause Hemorrhagic Fevers (external link)
Key messages for healthcare providers
Contact Halton Region Public Health at 311 immediately if a patient has compatible symptoms AND travelled to an affected area (external link).
- Isolate patient immediately and apply appropriate infection prevention and control measures (external link).
- Do not delay evaluation for more common diagnoses (e.g. malaria) in returning travellers
- Symptoms can start 2 to 21 days after contact with the virus. They often begin with the sudden onset of fever followed by other symptoms:
- fatigue
- muscle pain
- headache
- sore throat
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- rash
- hemorrhaging
- Transmission requires direct contact with body fluids of a symptomatic person. Patients are not contagious until symptomatic.
Key message for patients
- There has never been a case of Ebola in Canada and the risk remains low.
- It is not spread through casual contact and is not airborne.
- People cannot spread Ebola before symptoms develop.
- Inform Halton Region Public Health if you develop symptoms and have travelled to an area affected by Ebola disease in the last 21 days. Do NOT visit a doctor or a hospital right away. Halton Region Public Health will arrange for you to be assessed.
- Public Health measures are in place to help keep Canadians safe.
Additional resources
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Ebola disease (external link)
- Public Health Agency of Canada - Ebola disease: For health professionals and humanitarian aid workers (external link)
- Public Health Ontario - Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (external link)
- Public Health Ontario - Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHF) Testing Information Sheet (external link)
- Public Health Ontario - VHF Clinical Risk Assessment Tool For Clinician Use (external PDF)
- Public Health Ontario – Infection Prevention and Control Management of VHF in Acute Care (external PDF)
- Public Health Ontario - Summary of IPAC Recommendations for Preventing VHF Transmission in Acute Care (external PDF)