Rwanda: recent disease outbreaks

Ebola (Bundibugyo) — outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Rwanda: reinforced entry screening and border measures

Since mid‑May 2026 the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has experienced a large outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus; WHO’s Disease Outbreak News and situation updates show continued spread among multiple health zones during August–October 2026. WHO Disease Outbreak News (10 Sep 2026).

In response to the outbreak next door, Rwandan authorities have maintained enhanced surveillance and health screening at land points of entry bordering the DRC and at international arrival points; Rwanda’s Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre say there have been no confirmed Ebola cases in Rwanda but that screening, contact tracing readiness and traveller vigilance remain in effect. Rwanda Ministry of Health (17 May 2026) and Rwanda Biomedical Centre — info note for travellers (22 May 2026).

International public‑health bodies and foreign travel advisories continue to report and monitor cross‑border risk and response measures: the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and other monitoring reports (September–October 2026) note that several countries in the region have implemented or maintained entry screening, health declarations and targeted restrictions for travellers with recent travel to the DRC. ECDC (23 Sep 2026).

Practical importance for travellers: arriving passengers may be screened (temperature checks, symptom and travel‑history questions) at Kigali International Airport and at land border crossings near the DRC; travellers who recently visited affected areas of the DRC may face denial of entry, quarantine or additional public‑health measures imposed with little notice. Check up‑to‑date entry/screening rules before travel; national travel advisories summarising these measures were current in October 2026. Smartraveller (updated 02 Oct 2026; checked 27 Oct 2026).

Other outbreak‑prone conditions and surveillance in Rwanda

Rwanda’s routine public‑health surveillance (weekly RBC epidemiological bulletins and Ministry of Health notices) continues to document periodic, localized events (e.g., small water‑borne clusters and vaccine‑preventable disease activity in prior months) and ongoing preparedness for epidemic‑prone diseases; however, no new, large human‑health outbreak reports that would change national travel guidance were identified in the sources checked for the 90‑day window ending 27 Oct 2026. For primary national updates see the Ministry of Health newsroom and RBC surveillance bulletins. Rwanda Ministry of Health — News and Rwanda Biomedical Centre — surveillance bulletins.