In response to the World Health Organization’s recent classification of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has launched proactive monitoring and preparation efforts to guard against the spread of the virus, which is currently impacting multiple regions of Central and East Africa. The announcement was made public by the nation’s Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs.
As of the latest update, no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) have been detected within Antigua and Barbuda’s borders. Despite the current low risk profile, the Ministry has moved quickly to strengthen national surveillance and readiness frameworks, aligning all actions with established global public health standards and international guidance.
Key enhanced measures already underway include stepped-up screening protocols at all ports of entry, tighter infection prevention and control rules across the country’s health care facilities, and sustained cross-agency coordination with regional and global public health bodies. Ministry officials are also conducting a comprehensive review and update of the nation’s original Ebola preparedness protocols, first drafted in response to the 2014 West African Ebola outbreak. This overhaul covers critical operational areas including case tracking, infection control protocols, clinical case management, and safe protocols for handling human remains.
Parallel preparations are also being carried out to ensure the nation’s Infectious Disease Centre (IDC) is fully operational and ready to accommodate isolation or specialized treatment if any cases are confirmed.
To further reduce entry risk, the Ministry plans to present a set of temporary travel restrictions to the national Cabinet for approval. If approved, the new rules will bar entry to any traveler who has visited designated Ebola outbreak areas within the 45 days prior to their scheduled arrival in Antigua and Barbuda.
As part of expanded airport screening efforts, authorities are also working to reinstall infrared thermal camera systems at V.C. Bird International Airport, a core tool for detecting potential symptomatic travelers. Looking ahead to the scheduled launch of new additional international flights from Nigeria starting May 25, 2026, the Ministry is also boosting permanent Port Health staffing and expanding public health screening capacity at the airport. These upgrades include more robust traveler health assessments and closer coordinated workflows with immigration, customs, airport management, and commercial airline teams.
In a public statement, the Ministry emphasized that the current overall risk of an Ebola introduction to Antigua and Barbuda remains low. Even so, officials stressed that sustained vigilance and advanced preparedness are non-negotiable to protect public health. The public is advised to maintain consistent good hand hygiene practices, and to seek immediate medical care if they develop fever or other unexplained illness, especially within weeks after international travel.
The Ministry confirmed it will continue real-time monitoring of the outbreak situation across Africa, and will issue timely public updates should any adjustments to preparedness measures be needed.