According to the advisory, passengers will not be permitted to board RwandAir flights to the UAE if they are travelling directly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan. The restriction also applies to passengers who have originated from or transited through any of these three countries, even if they are connecting via another destination.
However, the advisory notes exemptions for UAE citizens and holders of diplomatic passports, who will still be allowed to travel under the current arrangements.
The airline has not indicated how long the restrictions will remain in place, as measures are subject to change depending on the evolving public health situation on the ground.
The current outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a particularly concerning variant for which there is no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment. Health authorities warn that this makes surveillance, early detection, and rapid containment critical to preventing further spread across the region.
Recent health data indicates that the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported 452 confirmed cases and at least 82 deaths, while Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed cases and 2 deaths. In Uganda, infections have been reported in Kampala, Wakiso, and western border areas, underscoring continued transmission risks in the region.
South Sudan, while not yet reporting confirmed Ebola cases, is included in the UAE restrictions due to its geographic proximity to the active outbreak zone in Ituri province, DRC, which borders the country, raising concerns about potential cross-border transmission.
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