Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 160, Number 24: ORDERS IN COUNCIL

June 13, 2026

DEPARTMENT OF CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION

IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE PROTECTION ACT

Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order (Immigration Applications and Documents)

P.C. 2026-500 May 27, 2026

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to suspend the processing of applications for immigration documents made by foreign nationals residing in countries that have a high or very high risk of an outbreak of Ebola disease because doing so will minimize the risk of importing the disease into Canada and transmitting the disease within Canada;

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to suspend certain immigration documents issued to foreign nationals residing in countries that have a high or very high risk of an outbreak of Ebola disease because doing so will minimize the risk of importing the disease into Canada and transmitting the disease within Canada;

And whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to authorize the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to amend or repeal the annexed Order;

Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, makes the annexed Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order (Immigration Applications and Documents) under subsections 87.301(1)footnote a, 87.302(1)footnote a and 87.303(2)footnote a of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act footnote b.

Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order (Immigration Applications and Documents)

Definitions

1 The following definitions apply in this Order.

Minister
means the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. (ministre)
Regulations
means the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. (règlement)

Application

2 This Order applies in respect of foreign nationals who are outside of Canada and who have stated in an application referred to in this Order or in an application for a document referred to in this Order that they reside in a country listed in the table to this subsection.

TABLE
Country
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • South Sudan
  • Uganda

Suspension of applications

3 (1) The processing of the following applications that are made by foreign nationals referred to in section 2 is suspended for the period beginning immediately before a decision on whether to issue the document for which the application was made and ending when this Order ceases to be in force:

Application

(2) Subsection (1) applies to applications that are pending at the time of, or received after, the coming into force of this Order.

Suspension of documents

4 (1) The following documents issued to foreign nationals referred to in section 2 are suspended:

Exception

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in respect of a foreign national who

Authority to repeal

5 (1) The Minister may, by order, repeal this Order.

Authority to amend

(2) The Minister may, by order, amend this Order by

Minister — exemption

6 The Minister may exempt a foreign national from the application of this Order after taking into account the following factors:

Effective period

7 This Order is in force for the period beginning at 23:59:59 Eastern Daylight Time on May 27, 2026 and ending at 23:59:59 Eastern Daylight Time on August 28, 2026.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order.)

Proposal

The Governor in Council, finding that it is in the public interest to do so, makes the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order (Immigration Applications and Documents) pursuant to section 87.301 and 87.302 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).

This Order applies to certain immigration documents and applications for immigration documents from foreign nationals outside of Canada whose country of residence is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan or Uganda.

The Order applies to foreign nationals outside of Canada that reside in an affected country. The Order

The Order would provide the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (the Minister) with the authority to exempt a foreign national from the application of this Order, taking into account risks to public health, mitigation measures, whether the foreign national is in urgent need of protection or on other humanitarian and compassionate considerations.

Foreign nationals who are in transit and arriving in Canada by aircraft at the time this Order comes into force would be excepted, including foreign nationals transiting to Canada via a third country.

This Order will be in effect for 90 days, with a coming into force of May 27, 2026, at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT, and also provides the Minister with the authority to repeal this Order or to amend it by extending its effective period or by adding immigration documents and applications for immigration documents to the scope of application of this Order or removing immigration documents and applications for immigration documents from the scope of application of this Order.

Objective

The objective of this Order is to protect Canada’s public health interests by minimizing the risk of importation and transmission of the Ebola disease into Canada.

Background

The Ebola disease outbreak in the DRC is rapidly evolving, with demonstrated cross-border spread to Uganda and a risk of importation into South Sudan. On May 15, 2026, the Ministry of Health in the DRC declared an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the northeastern province of Ituri. The earliest known suspected case died in Ituri province on April 20, 2026. On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), citing the potential for further international spread.

As of May 22, 2026, the WHO assessed the risk of an outbreak as “very high” for the DRC and as “high” for Uganda. The WHO noted there are significant uncertainties regarding the true number of infected persons, geographic spread, and epidemiological links among cases. The WHO assesses the risk of the epidemic as very high at the national level, high at the regional level, and low at the global level. Although the global risk may be low, several other factors have been considered in the Government of Canada response. Ebola disease is a severe, high-consequence disease and there is currently no effective vaccine or other treatment for the Bundibugyo virus.

In response to the WHO declaring a PHEIC, the United States (U.S.) invoked Title 42 on May 18, 2026, by suspending the entry rights of foreign nationals who have been in the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan during the last 21 days, regardless of their country of origin. This action is set to be in effect for 90 days. On May 22, 2026, the U.S. revised their Title 42 Order by further broadening their suspension on entry rights to include U.S. lawful permanent residents who have been in the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan during the last 21 days.

The Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, which came into force March 26, 2026, amended IRPA to provide the authority to the Governor in Council (GIC) to make an Order in Council (OIC), when in the public interest, that could, on a large scale, cancel, suspend or vary immigration documents; cease accepting new applications; or pause or terminate existing applications in process. These new authorities provide a tool to help prevent the transmission and spread of the Ebola disease to Canada, thereby protecting the health and safety of Canadians.

Public interest

Waiting for an imported case before acting would create avoidable risk for Canada. Border measures are not intended to eliminate all risk, but to reduce the likelihood of importation, support early identification of potentially ill travellers, and slow potential spread long enough for public health and health care systems to respond. This is especially important as Canada enters a period of increased international travel, including seasonal worker movements and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will significantly increase traveller volumes. This increase in travel numbers with a concurrent public health emergency, could result in severe negative consequences to Canada’s health care and public health systems. Even a small increase in the probability of importation is important when the consequences of introduction could be severe. Border measures therefore provide a critical layer of protection for Canadians and valuable time for local health care systems to prepare, coordinate, and scale up capacity as needed.

Suspending certain immigration documents from foreign nationals in affected areas could help prevent the transmission and spread of the Ebola disease to Canada, thereby protecting the health and safety of Canadians.

The Government of Canada is therefore implementing a comprehensive strategy with layers of precautionary measures to limit the importation and transmission of the Ebola disease into Canada:

These measures complement the Order in Council that will be issued pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act, which will add an extra layer of a mandatory health assessment for travellers who reside in a country of residence with documented detection of Ebola disease that is deemed as having a “high” or “very high” risk of Ebola disease outbreak.

Implications

This Order applies to foreign nationals outside of Canada whose residence is in the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda. Therefore, the measures would not apply to persons within Canada, such as those applying for extensions of work or study permits or persons who are already present in Canada.

Processing of applications to finalization for immigration documents submitted by foreign nationals outside of Canada residing in the listed countries will be suspended. They will not be able to travel to Canada as they would not hold a valid immigration document. Once the Order expires or is repealed, the application is no longer affected by the Order and processing will resume. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will undertake efforts to expedite the processing of these applications once the public health risk subsides.

All active immigration documents held by foreign nationals who have indicated that they reside in one of the listed countries will be suspended. They will not be able to board a flight and travel to Canada, which will be enforced through existing systems between airlines and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). IRCC will advise such clients of the temporary suspension and provide any relevant details and contact information as appropriate. This suspension includes temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations, temporary resident permit counterfoils, and permanent resident visas issued. Once the Order ceases to have effect, their immigration document will be reinstated and travel to Canada may resume. Persons may continue to be required to comply with quarantine or other public health measures once they arrive in Canada.

Finally, the Order authorizes the Minister to amend or repeal the Order. This may include adding or removing new immigration documents to or from the scope of application, and extending or repealing the Order. The Order also authorizes the Minister to, on a case-by-case basis, exempt individuals from these measures. This discretion would be exercised after taking into account several factors, including the level of risk that could be posed to public health by the foreign national, if they were exempted, any measures that are in place that mitigate the level of risk, whether the foreign national is in an urgent need for protection per section 138 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, or any other humanitarian and compassionate considerations. Discretion exercised in these circumstances would include all relevant measures to mitigate any public health risks, to the extent possible.

Exceptions

The exception for foreign nationals in-transit when the Order comes into force accounts for people who were mid-travel at the time of the Order coming into force and would ensure in particular that refugees, who are not able to return to their country of origin, are not placed at risk of harm if they are left in a third country without status and no other country would accept their entry. This situation could otherwise result in bilateral irritants with a third country, or the refugee’s deportation to their country of origin where they face persecution. Air carriers may refuse boarding of such persons or cancel routes, despite booked travel. This may cause irritants with clients who have planned travel to Canada during the period that the Order is in force. It is not expected that there will be high volumes of transiting travellers, but IRCC will communicate with affected clients on a case-by-case basis.

The Order does not apply to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and persons registered under the Indian Act, nor does it apply to citizens and lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and accredited foreign representatives, and their family members, as they are exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa to travel to Canada.

Affected volumes

Table 1: Valid immigration documents held by foreign nationals who have not yet arrived in Canada, as of May 26, 2026 (in persons)
Country of residence
By immigration category		 Democratic Republic of Congo Republic of South Sudan Uganda Grand total
Permanent resident Economic 36 1 6 43
Family class 67 3 285 355
Humanitarian and compassionate / public policy 0 2 25 27
Protected persons table 2 note a 57 140 1 110 1 307
Total 160 146 1 426 1 732
Temporary resident Study permit 413 4 102 519
Study permit extension 0 0 0 0
TRV 11 529 251 9 764 21 544
eTA 446 71 150 667
Temporary resident permit 0 0 44 44
Visitor record — Extension 0 0 0 0
Work permit 27 0 15 42
Work permit extension 0 0 0 0
Total 12 415 326 10 075 22 816
Total 12 575 472 11 501 24 548

Table 2 note(s)

Table 2 note a

Protected persons class includes protected persons landed in Canada and dependants abroad and resettled refugees.

Return to table 2 note a referrer
Table 2: Permanent resident processing inventory by country of residence for foreign nationals who have not yet arrived in Canada, as of May 24, 2026 (in persons)
Permanent resident Immigration category table 3 note a Democratic Republic of Congo Uganda Republic of South Sudan Total PR prospective and processing inventory
Total 4 037 31 324 699 36 060
Economic 511 123 7 641
Family class 1 165 2 194 50 3 409
Humanitarian and compassionate / public policy 574 338 9 921
Permit holders class 6 0 0 6
Protected persons 1 778 28 274 613 30 665
Unspecified table 3 note b 3 395 20 418

Table 3 note(s)

Table 3 note a

Includes prospective and processing inventory, excludes landing inventory.

Return to table 3 note a referrer

Table 3 note b

File not updated in the system with category, though will fall under either protected persons or humanitarian and compassionate / public policy with a few under economic (Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot).

Return to table 3 note b referrer

Table 3: Temporary resident application processing inventory by country of residence for foreign nationals who have not yet arrived in Canada, as of May 24, 2026 (in persons)

The data was extracted for any applicants for temporary residence or permanent residence who identified their country of residence as the Democratic Republic of Congo or Uganda, irrespective of the person’s citizenship.

The numbers may fluctuate as some expire, clients arrive in Canada, or applications in the inventory are finalized.

Temporary resident Immigration category Democratic Republic of Congo Uganda Republic of South Sudan Total TR processing inventory table 4 note a
Total 6 146 1 561 44 7 751
Electronic travel authorization (eTA) 6 0 0 6
Study permit 368 83 1 452
Temporary residence visa 5 739 1 452 41 7 232
Temporary resident permit 0 0 0 0
Work permit 33 26 2 61

Table 4 note(s)

Table 4 note a

Includes prospective and processing inventory, excludes landing inventory.

Return to table 4 note a referrer

Consultation

The Government of Canada has consulted the CBSA, PHAC, Transport Canada and Global Affairs Canada, and provinces and territories.

Contact

Tara Lang
Director General
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Email: Tara.Lang@cic.gc.ca

PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA

QUARANTINE ACT

Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order, 2026

P.C. 2026-522 May 29, 2026

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that there is an outbreak of a communicable disease, namely Ebola disease, in a foreign country;

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that the introduction or spread of the disease would pose an imminent and severe risk to public health in Canada;

Whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that the entry of persons into Canada who have recently been in that foreign country may introduce or contribute to the spread of the disease in Canada;

And whereas the Governor in Council is of the opinion that no reasonable alternatives to prevent the introduction or spread of the disease in Canada are available;

Therefore, Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Health, makes the annexed Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order, 2026 under section 58 of the Quarantine Act footnote c.

Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order, 2026

Definitions

1 The following definitions apply in this Order.

Canadian Forces
means the armed forces of His Majesty raised by Canada. (Forces canadiennes)
common-law partner
has the same meaning as in subsection 1(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. (conjoint de fait)
dependent child
has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. (enfant Ă  charge)
immediate family member
in respect of a person, means
  • (a) the spouse or common-law partner of the person;
  • (b) a dependent child of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
  • (c) a dependent child of the dependent child referred to in paragraph (b);
  • (d) the parent or step-parent of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner; or
  • (e) the guardian or tutor of the person. (membre de la famille immĂ©diate)
isolation
means the separation of persons who have symptoms of Ebola disease, in such a manner as to prevent the spread of the disease. (isolement)
quarantine
means the separation of persons in such a manner as to prevent the possible spread of disease. (quarantaine)
quarantine facility
means a place that is designated under section 7 of the Quarantine Act or that is deemed to be designated under subsection 8(2) of that Act. (installation de quarantaine)
symptoms of Ebola disease
include fever, chills, sore throat, joint or muscle pain, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bleeding. (symptĂ´mes de la maladie Ebola)

Suitable quarantine plan

2 (1) A suitable quarantine plan must meet the following requirements:

Place of quarantine — conditions

(2) The conditions for the place of quarantine are the following:

Health assessment upon entry

3 (1) A person who, in the 21 days before the day on which they enter Canada, has been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan — or in another foreign country where the risk of an outbreak of Ebola disease is assessed to be high or very high by the Minister — must, upon entry into Canada,

Factors

(2) In assessing the risk, the Minister must consider

Minister’s assessment or reassessment

(3) The Minister may, at any time, assess or reassess the risk of an outbreak of Ebola disease in a foreign country referred to in subsection (1) and when doing so, must consider the factors set out in subsection (2).

Risk no longer high or very high

(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to a person who has been in a foreign country referred to in that subsection if, before the day on which they enter Canada,

Determination

4 On the basis of the health assessment referred to in paragraph 3(1)(b), the quarantine officer must determine the person to be

Asymptomatic

5 (1) A person who is determined by a quarantine officer to be asymptomatic must

Quarantine facility

(2) If the person does not provide a suitable quarantine plan, they must enter into quarantine without delay at a quarantine facility, in accordance with the instructions provided by the quarantine officer, and remain in quarantine at the facility or at any other quarantine facility to which they are subsequently transferred until the end of the 21-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada.

Quarantine — additional requirements

6 A person referred to in section 5 must follow all instructions provided by the quarantine officer and must, in accordance with those instructions,

Exempted persons — quarantine

7 (1) Sections 5 and 6 do not apply to the following persons:

Symptom monitoring

(2) A person referred to in subsection (1) must monitor themselves for symptoms of Ebola disease until the end of the 21-day period that begins on the day on which the person enters Canada, immediately report any symptoms they develop in accordance with the instructions provided by a quarantine officer and then satisfy the requirements set out in sections 8 and 9.

Symptomatic persons

8 A person who is determined by a quarantine officer to be symptomatic, or who develops symptoms of Ebola disease while in quarantine in accordance with the requirements of this Order, must follow all instructions provided by the quarantine officer and must, in accordance with those instructions,

Isolation — additional requirements

9 A person referred to in section 8 must also, in accordance with the instructions of a quarantine officer,

Exempted persons — medical reason

10 (1) A person is exempted from the quarantine and isolation requirements of this Order

Accompanying person

(2) If the person exempted from the quarantine and isolation requirements under subsection (1) is a dependent child or requires assistance in accessing medical services, treatments or diagnostic tests, the exception set out in that subsection extends to one other person who accompanies the dependent child or the person requiring assistance.

Requirements

(3) The persons referred to in subsections (1) and (2) must

Quarantine Act — powers and obligations

11 For greater certainty, this Order does not affect any of the powers and obligations set out in the Quarantine Act.

Effective period

12 (1) Subject to subsection (2), this Order has effect for the period beginning at 23:59:59 Eastern Daylight Time on May 30, 2026 — but if it is made after that day, it has effect on 23:59:59 Eastern Daylight Time on the day on which it is made — and ending at 23:59:59 Eastern Daylight Time on August 29, 2026.

Continuing obligation

(2) In the case of a person referred to in subsection 3(1) who enters Canada during the period beginning at 23:59:59 Eastern Daylight Time on August 7, 2026, and ending at 23:59:59 Eastern Daylight Time on August 29, 2026, this Order continues to have effect until 23:59:59 Eastern Daylight Time on October 10, 2026.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order.)

Proposal

This Order in Council, entitled Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order, 2026, is made pursuant to section 58 of the Quarantine Act. This Order is in effect from Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 23:59:59 EDT and expires on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 23:59:59 EDT. The Order establishes public health measures to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of Ebola disease in Canada.

This Order applies to all travellers who have, in the last 21 days, been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda or South Sudan, or any other foreign country that is assessed to have a “high” or “very high” risk of outbreak of Ebola disease by Canada’s Minister of Health. Factors the Minister of Health will consider in assessing “high” or very “high” risk include scientific evidence and other data relating to an outbreak of Ebola disease or the risk of an outbreak of Ebola disease in a foreign country, epidemiology (including the severity of the disease and its rate of spread) in a country, public health measures in place in a country, and any other factors the Minister considers relevant to minimizing the risk arising from the disease, including the public interest. Per the Order, these travellers will be identified upon arrival to Canada, referred to a quarantine officer for assessment, and required to comply with public health measures, including quarantine or isolation for 21 days. Travellers who exhibit symptoms consistent with Ebola disease will be immediately isolated and referred for medical assessment and appropriate management. The Order lists limited categories of exempted persons for whom certain requirements, including the requirement to quarantine for 21 days, do not apply. Persons exempted from the requirement to quarantine will be required to self-monitor and follow all the instructions provided by a quarantine officer if they develop symptoms of Ebola disease.

This Order in Council complements the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order (Immigration Applications and Documents) made pursuant to sections 87.301 and 87.302 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), which suspends certain immigration documents and the processing of pending applications for immigration documents made by foreign nationals residing in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan.

Objective

The objective of this Order is to protect public health by reducing the risk of the introduction and spread of Ebola disease in Canada through targeted measures applied to travellers who have, in the last 21 days, been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan, or any other foreign country that has been assessed to have a “high” or “very high” risk of an outbreak of Ebola disease by Canada’s Minister of Health. This Order establishes public health requirements for those travellers who travel to Canada. These measures ensure that such travellers are identified, assessed, and subject to appropriate quarantine or isolation, as required, to mitigate the risk of disease transmission. This Order will operate in coordination with measures under the IRPA that suspend travel documents for certain foreign nationals.

Background

Ebola disease is a zoonotic disease primarily found in bats. There are six known virus strains that cause Ebola disease in humans, including the Bundibugyo virus. On May 15, 2026, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC’s northeastern province of Ituri. The person with the earliest known suspected case died in Ituri province on April 20, 2026. On May 17, 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), citing the potential for further international spread. As of May 22, 2026, the WHO assessed the risk as “very high” for the DRC and as “high” for Uganda and South Sudan. The WHO continues to assess the global risk as low. The WHO noted there are significant uncertainties regarding the true number of infected persons, geographic spread, and epidemiological links among cases. Additionally, ongoing political instability in the region complicates the management of the outbreak.

In response to the WHO declaring a PHEIC, the United States (U.S.) invoked Title 42 on May 18, 2026, suspending the entry rights of foreign nationals who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan during the last 21 days, regardless of their country of origin. This action is set to be in effect for 30 days. On May 22, 2026, the United States revised their Title 42 order by further broadening their suspension on entry rights to include United States lawful permanent residents who have been in the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan during the last 21 days. With Canada and the United States sharing one of the world’s largest land borders, a coordinated approach to the prevention of importation and spread of Ebola disease is necessary.

To date, the Government of Canada has implemented the following border measures to prevent the importation and spread of Ebola disease:

Given the nature and severity of Ebola disease (described further below), the Government of Canada is taking a precautionary approach. The Government of Canada is now implementing enhanced border measures through a two-pronged strategy using the Order in Council under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and this Order under the Quarantine Act to limit the introduction and spread of Ebola disease.

There is an outbreak of communicable disease in a foreign country

As of May 25, 2026, 101 confirmed cases, nearly 904 suspected cases and 214 suspected deaths have been reported in the DRC across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu, including urban centres (Bunia, Goma, Butembo), and multiple other provinces are investigating suspected cases. The geographic range of confirmed and suspected cases indicates that undetected transmission has been ongoing. There are currently no approved or licensed vaccines or specific antivirals available for Bundibugyo virus, meaning clinical management of patients is focused on supportive care.

Outside of the DRC, cases have been confirmed in Uganda, demonstrating cross-border spread. While currently there are no confirmed cases in South Sudan, it has high-risk proximity and border crossings with primary outbreak zones and a weak health system, severely undermined by prolonged conflict and instability, resulting in damaged infrastructure, limited access to basic and humanitarian services, low health service coverage, and critical shortages of skilled health workers. These factors increase the risk for undetected cases.

The WHO has noted that there are significant uncertainties regarding the true number of infected persons, geographic spread, and epidemiological links among cases. Additionally, ongoing political instability in the region contributes to complicating the management of the outbreak. The WHO assesses the risk of the outbreak as very high at the national level for the DRC, high at the regional level, and low at the global level.

The introduction or spread of the disease would pose an imminent and severe risk to public health in Canada

The Ebola disease is a zoonotic disease primarily found in bats. There are six known strains of virus that cause Ebola disease, including Bundibugyo, which was first discovered in 2007. The clinical profile and epidemiological characteristics of Bundibugyo virus are expected to be similar to disease caused by other Orthoebolaviruses, although data on this specific strain is more limited, as there have only been two previous documented outbreaks. Ebola viruses have a range of symptoms, including fever, headache, fatigue, rash, abdominal pain, and internal and external bleeding. Symptoms typically appear 2 to 21 days after exposure. The fatality rate for Bundibugyo is 30–40%.

Ebola viruses are spread primarily through the human population via direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, including those who have died from the disease. The Ebola viral agent is considered a Risk Group 4 level pathogen under the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act (i.e. highest containment level given the high level of risk to human health), and it is a security sensitive biological agent under the Australia Group List (i.e. potential for bioweapon use). While this classification does not refer to the illness in a human body, it does have very severe implications for handling diagnostics and lab availability should the system be overrun. Further, due to the high risk level, Canada only has two licensed government facilities that are able to work with the Ebola disease pathogen.

Ebola disease is a severe, high-consequence disease and in the absence of a vaccine or other treatment options, waiting for an imported case before acting would create avoidable risk to Canada. Internal PHAC risk assessment has identified low risk for the Canadian population; however, additional pressure would be added to Canada’s health care system if Canada were faced with supporting multiple cases of Ebola disease. Border measures mitigate risk, and are intended to reduce the likelihood of importation, support early identification of potentially ill travellers, and slow potential spread long enough for public health and health care systems to respond. This is especially important as Canada enters a period of increased international travel, including seasonal worker movements and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will significantly increase traveller volumes. This increase in travel numbers, with a concurrent public health emergency, could result in severe negative consequences to Canada’s health care systems.

The entry of members of a certain class of persons into Canada may introduce or contribute to the spread of the communicable disease in Canada

Ebola has demonstrated that it can cause widespread severe illness if not properly contained. Global efforts are focused on the containment of the outbreak and then prevention of further spread. To date, Canada has made efforts to slow the importation of the virus by implementing more general travel precautions and enhanced screening at ports of entry.

Additional border measures are being implemented due to increased traveller volumes at this time of year, and the increased presence of travellers expected in the upcoming period due to mass events, including FIFA. Unrestricted entry of travellers who have, in the last 21 days, been in DRC, Uganda, South Sudan or a country that has been assessed to have a “high” or “very high” risk of an outbreak of Ebola disease by Canada’s Minister of Health may introduce or contribute to the spread of Ebola disease in Canada.

No reasonable alternatives to prevent the introduction or spread of diseases are available

Presently, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is asking every traveller, via PIK, arriving by air to indicate if they have been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan over the past 21 days and, if so, they are asked whether they are experiencing any symptoms of Ebola disease or have been exposed to someone who had Ebola disease. Anyone who self-identifies as having both been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan over the past 21 days and who feels unwell or has been exposed to someone who has been feeling unwell upon arrival in Canada would be sent to a PHAC quarantine officer to assist CBSA in the screening assessment, and then the completion of a health assessment that includes gathering information on exposure risk, and signs and symptoms of illness.

The current processes require a case-by-case assessment of every traveller, which increases the time required to respond to public health risks and is not operationally sustainable, in particular due to increased traveller volumes at this time of year. Under the Order, all travellers who, in the 21 days before they entered Canada, had been in the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan or a country assessed to have a “high” or “very high” risk of an outbreak of Ebola disease by Canada’s Minister of Health will be required to disclose this information and undergo a health assessment upon entry. Travellers will be required to comply with public health measures, including quarantine or isolation, based on the cohort into which they are assessed: asymptomatic or symptomatic.

The measures in this Order complement the measures imposed through the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order (Immigration Applications and Documents), made pursuant to section 87.301 and 87.302 of IRPA, to protect public health and prevent the importation and spread of Ebola disease in Canada.

Implications

Key impacts for travellers and industry

The impact of this Order is limited to a narrow cohort of travellers — only those travellers who have been, in the last 21 days, in the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan or a country that has been assessed to have a “high” or “very high” risk of outbreak of Ebola by Canada’s Minister of Health. These travellers may be permitted to travel to Canada but will be required to undergo a health assessment upon arrival. Following the assessment, travellers will be grouped into one of two cohorts based on their risk level.

The first cohort is asymptomatic travellers who will be required to quarantine for 21 days and be subject to regular monitoring by the relevant public health authority. If asymptomatic travellers start to feel unwell, they are required to inform a quarantine officer and immediately isolate for 21 days from the day on which their symptoms began. The second cohort is travellers who are experiencing symptoms consistent with Ebola disease, who will be immediately isolated at a hospital and required to isolate for 21 days.

The Order lists limited categories of exempted asymptomatic persons (e.g. aircrew, persons entering to provide medical care, persons for whom exemption from the quarantine requirement is in the national interest) for whom certain requirements, including the requirement to quarantine for 21 days, do not apply. Persons exempted from the requirement to quarantine will be required to self-monitor and follow all the instructions provided by a quarantine officer if they develop symptoms of Ebola disease.

For all other travellers, there is no impact under this Order.

This Order does not impose new requirements on industry stakeholders, including air, marine, and land conveyance operators. Conveyance operators remain subject to existing obligations under the Quarantine Act, including the obligation to report, as soon as possible before arrival in Canada, any reasonable grounds to suspect that a person, cargo, or other thing on board could cause the spread of a communicable disease listed in the Quarantine Act schedule, or if a death has occurred on board. These obligations are routine and continue to apply regardless of this Order.

Penalties

Failure to comply with this Order and other related measures under the Quarantine Act are offences under the Quarantine Act. The maximum penalties are a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or imprisonment for three years. Non-compliance is also subject to fines under the federal Contraventions Act.

Consultation

The Government of Canada has engaged key stakeholders (provincial and territorial partners, relevant Government of Canada departments and agencies, transport industry stakeholders) to align efforts to advance implementation plans.

As part of its commitment to support the International Health Regulations, Canada will also notify the World Health Organization of this action.

Contact

Kimby Barton
Public Health Agency of Canada
Telephone: 613‑960‑6637
Email: Kimby.barton@phac-aspc.gc.ca