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

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 .