Sunday 24 / May / 2026
MUSCAT: Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a new circular advising travellers and airlines operating in the Sultanate to follow precautionary health measures amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak linked to the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
The advisory, issued on May 24 under Circular No. 1/2026, follows recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and recent international updates concerning the outbreak.
In coordination with the Medical Response Sector, the CAA called on all airlines operating to Oman, as well as passengers arriving from or travelling to affected regions, to strictly adhere to health and safety guidelines before, during and after travel.
The authority urged travellers to avoid unnecessary travel to outbreak-affected areas, monitor official health updates issued by WHO and national health authorities, and ensure they have adequate health and medical evacuation insurance before travelling.
During travel and stay, passengers were advised to avoid contact with individuals showing symptoms such as fever, bleeding, vomiting or diarrhoea, and to avoid exposure to blood or bodily fluids.
The CAA also stressed the importance of regular handwashing and the use of alcohol-based sanitisers.
The circular further advised travellers to avoid visiting unnecessary healthcare facilities in affected areas, refrain from handling wild animals or undercooked meat, and avoid funerals or gatherings involving direct contact with infected or deceased persons.
Upon arrival in Oman, travellers from affected areas have been advised to monitor their health for 21 days from the date of departure.
Anyone experiencing symptoms including fever, severe headache, diarrhoea, vomiting, unexplained bleeding or extreme fatigue has been instructed to seek immediate medical attention, disclose their travel history and avoid contact with others until medical evaluation is completed.
The CAA clarified that Ebola is not transmitted through the air, but through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated objects. It also emphasised that early detection and rapid reporting remain critical to limiting transmission and protecting public health.
