The Centers for Disease Control today (the 3rd) stated that in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) announcing on May 17, 2026 that the Ebola virus infection outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), to ensure our country's border preparedness and epidemic response capacity, Minister of Health and Welfare Shi Chong-liang visited Taoyuan International Airport this morning to inspect airport quarantine measures and inter‑agency joint prevention operations, and encouraged airport quarantine staff to stay at their posts and protect the health of the nation.
Minister Shi first received a briefing on border contingency preparations, and visited fever screening stations and other sites to understand various frontline border quarantine operations. The Immigration Agency's Border Affairs Battalion also explained the entry inspection and joint‑prevention reporting mechanisms. Minister Shi expressed gratitude to frontline border personnel (CIQS), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Bureau of Consular Affairs, the National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, the Civil Aviation Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Tourism Bureau and other relevant ministries, as well as Taoyuan International Airport Corporation, the various international terminals and airlines for their joint epidemic‑prevention efforts, implementing border quarantine and epidemic joint‑prevention cooperation. He also commended that each unit has established a comprehensive border joint‑prevention system, captured risk‑traveler information, improved the timeliness of epidemic response, and safeguarded community safety at home.
Minister Shi further noted that there are still unknown aspects of the Ebola outbreaks in the two African countries and the virus characteristics, and that the disease’s early symptoms are often non‑specific and easily overlooked. To prevent the risk of importation, border monitoring will be strengthened to detect cases early and trigger Taiwan’s epidemic and medical response. Referring to the expert meeting recommendations on June 2, it was announced that from June 3 to June 30, at the four international airports—Taipei Songshan, Taoyuan International, Taichung, and Kaohsiung—travelers (both Taiwanese citizens and inbound passengers) with a travel history to the DRC or Uganda who are “asymptomatic” will, upon arrival, receive a self‑health‑management advisory and be offered free testing. The testing is voluntary, conducted by quarantine officers wearing appropriate protective equipment, who will draw 5 ml of whole blood in a HEPA‑filtered testing room. The implementation period will be reviewed continuously according to the international epidemic situation. For those arriving from the aforementioned affected areas who develop symptoms, each port has established a post‑arrival medical referral mechanism, with contracted hospitals providing medical examinations and border agencies and the airport company assisting rapid clearance.
Minister Shi again urged that the travel advisory level for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda is currently Level 3 “Warning”, and the public should avoid traveling to Ebola‑affected areas. Incoming travelers are asked to cooperate with all government quarantine measures; during the return or the 21‑day self‑health‑management period after returning, they must report their health status daily through the “Public Self‑E‑Report System”. If they exhibit any suspected Ebola symptoms (fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bleeding, etc.), they must promptly inform quarantine personnel or call the epidemic‑prevention hotline 1922 for medical assistance from health authorities. Minister Shi reminded that violations may be penalized under Article 69, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 1 of the Communicable Disease Control Act with fines ranging from NT$10,000 to NT$150,000. The public is asked to cooperate fully to maintain domestic epidemic safety.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
Data compiled: Ganguan Office
