Emergency Messages

Outbreak: On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern due to an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease (BVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. In response, the CDC implemented additional public health measures being taken to reduce the risk of Ebola’s spread in the U.S., including a travel ban for non-U.S. passport holders who have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the previous 21 days. The U.S. Department of State also raised the Travel Advisory for Uganda to a Level 4: Do Not Travel. (The DRC and South Sudan have had Level 4 ratings for many years due to other risks.) 

Travel Guidance: Undergraduate travel to countries with a Level 4 advisory, including the DRC, South Sudan and Uganda, is prohibited. Given the threat to public and personal health, graduate and professional students, faculty and staff are strongly advised to postpone non-essential travel to the DRC, South Sudan and Uganda until further notice due to heightened health and safety risks. This is an evolving situation, and guidance may change as new information becomes available.  

Disease Details: BVD is spread by contact with the blood or bodily fluids of an infected individual or someone who has died from the disease. It is also spread by contact with contaminated objects as well as some animals that are also infected. Symptoms include fever, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pains, and unexplained bleeding or bruising. The are currently no vaccines or specific treatments approved for the prevention or treatment of BVD. Source: Ebola Disease Basics  

Outbreak: The OGSS is monitoring the outbreak of a hantavirus which originated on a small cruise ship that departed Ushuaia, Argentina on April 1, 2026. Due to the outbreak, the ship docked in Tenerife, Spain on May 10 and shortly thereafter, all passengers were assessed and transferred to various points of care based on nationality and symptoms. To date, three passengers have died and others are reported to be infected.

Disease Details: Hantaviruses are carried by rodents and can cause severe disease in humans, but transmission is usually limited to people who have close contact with someone who is ill. Symptoms can begin between one and eight weeks after exposure and include fever, headache, and muscle aches as well as abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.

Public Health Concerns: Public health officials insist that the threat to the public—in the U.S. and abroad—is low. Students, faculty and staff planning international travel for the summer are advised to stay informed, but there is no need to cancel or alter travel plans.

Resources:

World Health Organization (WHO): Hantavirus homepage and press conference overview

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): About Hantavirus

CNN: Outbreak maps and charts

Because of ongoing events in the Middle East and Gulf nations, Crisis24—Northwestern University’s evacuation assistance provider—has suspended coverage for these countries until further notice: Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel and Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen. Community members (students, staff and faculty) are advised to postpone travel until this suspension is lifted. Crisis24 will continue to review and assess all essential travel requests as they are received.  

Students and employees returning to their home country for university or personal reasons are not eligible for evacuation services, and coverage suspensions do not apply during such travel.