The Centers for Disease Control (hereafter referred to as the CDC) continues to monitor the latest international Ebola outbreak and, after reviewing the implementation of domestic border control measures over the past three months, convened today (the 21st) with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of the Interior, the Civil Aviation Administration of the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Education to discuss adjustments to control measures. It was decided to extend the 90‑day control measures for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) until November 28, 2025, and if Uganda has no new cases before August 27, the control measures will be lifted at 00:00 on August 28.
The CDC stated that, according to WHO data released on August 16 this year, DRC case numbers continue to rise and show geographic spread, with a cumulative 5,021 confirmed cases (including 2,378 deaths), a case‑fatality rate of about 47%. Cases in Ituri Province account for 84% of the national total, making the situation most severe there. Neighboring Uganda has recorded a cumulative 20 confirmed cases, but no new cases have been reported since June 21; the cases were all linked to cross‑border movement or medical‑care exposure and have not caused community transmission. Uganda has therefore started a 42‑day monitoring period, tracking from the discharge date of the last case (July 16) through August 27. WHO’s latest assessment on August 14 kept DRC at a “very high” transmission risk; all neighboring countries (including Uganda) remain at “high” risk of importation, while other regions of Africa and the world remain at “low” risk. WHO called on all countries to maintain heightened surveillance and implement prevention measures. Uganda’s risk level was downgraded by WHO from “very high” to “high,” removing Uganda from the list of countries under a public health emergency of international concern; after August 14 only DRC remained on that list.
In addition, since May of this year Taiwan has progressively implemented cross‑agency border coordination, strengthened in‑flight and passenger education, and for travelers with a travel history to DRC or Uganda, symptomatic individuals are referred for medical assessment, while asymptomatic individuals may receive free voluntary testing at the airport and must undergo a 21‑day self‑health management period after entry. Since June 2, entry of residents from the two countries has been suspended for 90 days (until August 30). As of August 20, a total of 43 inbound travelers (5 from DRC, 38 from Uganda) have complied with Taiwan’s self‑health management measures, of whom 10 voluntarily underwent testing, all of which returned negative results.
After the CDC evaluated the epidemic risk in DRC and Uganda and consulted with relevant ministries, the temporary border control measures were adjusted as follows:
1. Extend the temporary border control measures for DRC by 90 days (until November 28), including:
(1) Temporarily suspend the issuance of visas for DRC residents; those who already hold visas will have entry postponed during this period. Exemptions remain for four categories: “students who have obtained admission to Taiwanese institutions,” “diplomatic personnel,” “spouses of Taiwanese nationals who are not Taiwanese citizens and their minor children,” and “urgent or humanitarian cases such as funeral attendance or visiting seriously ill relatives.”
(2) Taiwanese nationals or holders of valid Taiwan residence permits who have traveled to DRC within 21 days before entry, and who are otherwise eligible to enter Taiwan, must proactively report to the airport quarantine station upon arrival. Quarantine staff will issue a “Self‑Health Management Notice for Incoming Travelers,” provide free voluntary testing, and require the traveler to conduct self‑health management for 21 days after entry, reporting health status and calling the epidemic prevention hotline 1922 for medical assistance if symptoms appear, as stipulated in the notice.
2. If Uganda reports no new cases before August 27, all temporary border control measures will be lifted at 00:00 on August 28, visa applications for Ugandan residents will resume, and the travel epidemic alert for Uganda will be removed.
The CDC explained that the temporary border control measures and travel epidemic advisory levels will be continuously adjusted in response to the latest international situation and Taiwan’s border epidemic‑prevention risk. Travelers with a travel history to affected areas must cooperate with all government quarantine measures. During the return journey or the 21‑day self‑health management period after return, they should report their health status daily through the “Public Self‑Reporting E‑System.” If any suspected Ebola symptoms (fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bleeding) appear, they must promptly notify quarantine personnel or call the epidemic prevention hotline 1922 for medical assistance. Failure to comply will result in penalties under the Communicable Disease Control Act.
Source: Taiwan CDC
Data compiled: Sensory Management Office
