HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) — Bermuda said on Wednesday that while the risk of an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus disease remains low, it is taking precautionary steps to ensure early detection and rapid response should any risk emerge.

“We are taking sensible, proactive measures to safeguard our community. Enhanced monitoring of travellers from affected regions is a standard public health practice and ensures Bermuda remains prepared and protected,” said Health Minister Kim Wilson.

On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) a public health emergency of international concern due to ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Ebola is a serious illness that spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of someone who is infected, or through contaminated surfaces.

The Ministry of Health said that as part of Bermuda’s public health surveillance, travellers arriving on the island from Uganda, South Sudan or the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will be subject to public health monitoring upon entry.

It said that this measure aligns with international best practices and supports early identification of any potential health concerns.

The Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit said travellers arriving from affected countries will undergo screening and a review of their travel history, as well as active health monitoring for 21 days.

The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shaun Ramroop, said teams are maintaining close oversight of global developments and applying evidence based measures at home.

“Monitoring travellers from affected regions allows us to detect any potential risk early and respond swiftly. These actions are precautionary and reflect our commitment to protecting the health of everyone in Bermuda.”

The authorities said there are currently no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola in Bermuda, and the ministry will continue to assess global developments and adjust Bermuda’s public health response as needed.

They said that people who are planning to travel to affected areas should review the latest travel health advice before leaving Bermuda with the ministry encouraging the public to rely on official updates for accurate information and to remain aware of general public health guidance.

Meanwhile, the United States (US) announced Wednesday that it had allocated more than US$242 million in additional funding to combat the worsening Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

The new funding brings direct US financial assistance in response to the outbreak to more than $500 million, the State Department said in a statement, underlining that the United States remained “the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response”.

Washington called on other countries to increase their contributions to efforts to combat the disease.