Asian Nations Tighten Border Screening Amid Central Africa Ebola Outbreak

Governments across Asia are tightening border screening and quarantine preparedness as health authorities work to contain a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.

Several governments have expanded screening and reporting requirements for travellers arriving from affected countries, though officials say the likelihood of local transmission remains low and no cases have been publicly confirmed in Asia.

In Hong Kong, a Lantau Island isolation facility used for quarantine during the Covid-19 pandemic has been inspected to ensure it is ready for use should a laboratory-confirmed case of Ebola be detected.

South Korea is requiring travellers coming from Democratic Republic of Congo – the outbreak’s epicentre – and neighbouring Uganda and South Sudan to report their health conditions to quarantine officials.

As of May 18, people arriving in mainland China from the affected regions who have been in contact with a known Ebola case or are showing symptoms like a fever or nausea will need to declare themselves to authorities.

Singapore, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal have announced increased monitoring or public health measures at ports of entry.