A recent returnee to Austria from Uganda has been hospitalized due to suspected Ebola virus symptoms. Despite an initial negative test result, the individual is still under observation, and a health alert has been issued by local authorities pending further testing. The patient is currently receiving care in a hospital in the Urfahr-Umgebung district of Austria.
According to a press release from the Provincial Health Directorate, the individual was admitted to the hospital for evaluation after exhibiting symptoms upon returning from Uganda, a country currently grappling with an Ebola outbreak. The person has been isolated and treated following medical protocols.
Although the initial blood sample did not show signs of Ebola infection, confirmation from a second sample is awaited, as reported by the Austrian newspaper Kronen Zeitung. The patient will remain isolated in the hospital for observation until further notice.
Authorities have initiated contact tracing to identify individuals who may have had contact with the affected person. Plans are in place to transfer the patient to a specialized infectious disease facility in Vienna for continued quarantine.
The Ebola outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was declared on May 15, 2026, with over 900 suspected cases and 223 reported deaths. In Uganda, seven cases have been confirmed. The situation in Europe has prompted heightened measures, with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) collaborating with the aviation sector to enhance passenger safety.
ECDC is actively engaging with partners to support DRC and Uganda through the EU Health Task Force. They emphasize the importance of exit screening to identify symptomatic travelers and reduce risks. Continuous updates and recommendations for the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) are part of their ongoing efforts.