As a deadly Ebola strain continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with cases also confirmed in Uganda, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is urging governments and airlines to follow health protocols introduced after the COVID-19 pandemic to limit aviation-related risks.

The outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease (BVD) has become a major concern in the DRC, where authorities have reported more than 900 suspected cases and about 220 suspected deaths.

Uganda has so far confirmed seven Ebola cases linked to the outbreak, according to health authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO), which has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern and warned that transmission is spreading faster than response teams can contain it.

The ICAO said it would continue monitoring the situation and update aviation guidance where necessary, but stressed that international air transport remains safe provided existing protocols are properly implemented.

On May 26, the UN aviation agency called on governments, airports and airlines to adhere strictly to WHO recommendations covering passenger screening, outbreak reporting, crew protocols and cross-border coordination.

The agency said the guidance framework developed during the COVID-19 pandemic provides a foundation for managing public-health risks linked to international aviation without unnecessarily disrupting global air traffic.

The Bundibugyo strain is one of several Ebola virus variants and has historically recorded lower fatality rates than the Zaire strain responsible for some of Africa’s deadliest outbreaks, although health officials warn it remains highly dangerous and difficult to contain in regions with weak healthcare infrastructure.

The outbreak has renewed concerns about cross-border transmission risks in Central and East Africa, where air connectivity, porous land borders and fragile public health systems complicate containment efforts.

Health authorities across the region have intensified surveillance, screening and emergency-response coordination as governments attempt to avoid a repeat of the severe social and economic disruptions caused by earlier Ebola epidemics and the COVID-19 pandemic.