Canada and Bahamas Defy WHO with Ebola Travel Bans as Bundibugyo Outbreak Escalates

In a significant escalation of the international response to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak, Canada and the Bahamas announced strict entry bans on May 27, 2026, targeting residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and South Sudan. These measures directly contradict the World Health Organization’s (WHO) repeated advice against imposing general travel or trade restrictions, highlighting a growing rift between national public safety policies and global health guidance as the outbreak surpasses 1,000 suspected cases.

Canada’s Border Measures: Entry Ban and Quarantine

Canada’s newly introduced border measures are two-pronged, aiming to reduce the risk of the Ebola virus entering and spreading within the country .

• Entry Ban and Visa Suspension: Effective May 27 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, the Canadian government suspended immigration documents for residents of countries with a high or very high risk of outbreak. This currently includes the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, and applies to temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations, and permanent resident visas for 90 days . Even individuals with previously approved documents who have not yet traveled will be affected .
• Mandatory Quarantine: Starting May 30, any traveler—including Canadian citizens and permanent residents—who has been in an Ebola-affected country within the previous 21 days must undergo a medical assessment upon arrival and then self-isolate for 21 days, even if they show no symptoms . Those without a suitable place to isolate will be provided one, and symptomatic travelers will be transferred to a hospital for further assessment . These measures, implemented under the Quarantine Act, are set to last until August 29, 2026 .

Bahamas Implements Entry Restrictions and Screenings

The Bahamas simultaneously announced it would temporarily ban residents of the three affected countries from entering . While less detailed than Canada's response, the government confirmed it is implementing health screenings for travelers arriving from Ebola-affected regions . These actions align the island nation with the growing list of countries imposing strict border controls.

The U.S. Precedent: Title 42 and a Quarantine Facility in Kenya

The North American response was set in motion earlier by the United States. On May 18, under a Title 42 order, the CDC suspended entry for foreign nationals who had been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days before arrival . U.S. citizens, nationals, and lawful permanent residents are still permitted entry but must undergo enhanced screening and monitoring, with affected travelers redirected to Washington-Dulles International Airport for temperature checks and symptom questionnaires .

In a further development, the Trump administration is planning to deploy U.S. public health officers to Kenya to staff a quarantine facility for Americans potentially exposed to the virus. The facility, pending approval from the Kenyan government, is intended for those at high risk or who test positive . On May 26, the CDC activated a Level 2 emergency response and asked staff to volunteer for urgent deployment to support screening at U.S. entry points .

WHO’s Position and the Emerging Divide

These national measures stand in stark contrast to WHO guidance. The organization declared the Bundibugyo virus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026, but has consistently recommended against border closures or travel restrictions . Instead, the WHO’s temporary recommendations focus on cross-border and internal road screening, and it advises that there should be no international travel of confirmed or suspected cases or their contacts . The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has echoed this, stating that international air services remain safe and that entry screening outside the affected region is not considered necessary .

The Bundibugyo strain presents unique challenges. Unlike the more common Zaire ebolavirus, there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment available, a factor likely contributing to the more aggressive national responses despite the WHO’s position .