The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for airlines to strengthen preparedness against Ebola following a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declared by the World Health Organization (WHO).  The outbreak has been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. WHO declares Ebola outbreak as global health emergency The move comes after WHO, on May 17, 2026, classified the ongoing Ebola outbreak as a global health emergency. The advisory has prompted India’s aviation regulator to tighten surveillance and preparedness measures for international air travel. Countries at risk and precautionary measures The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued precautionary guidelines, identifying countries bordering the affected regions, including South Sudan, as high-risk zones for potential disease transmission. Mandatory passenger screening and declarations Airlines operating direct or indirect flights connected to Uganda and the DRC have been instructed to ensure mandatory collection of Self-Declaration Forms (SDF) from all passengers originating from or transiting through the affected countries before de-boarding in India. In-flight announcements and health …