Hong Kong and Macao have raised travel warnings as Ebola outbreaks in Central Africa prompt tighter precautions across the region, even as SAR officials stress that the immediate risk to local residents remains low.

On Thursday, Hong Kong issued a red Outbound Travel Alert for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), advising residents to avoid non‑essential travel to the country because of Ebola outbreaks there. A red alert is the middle tier in the city’s three‑level system and signals a significant health or security threat in the destination.

The move follows the World Health Organization’s decision to classify the Ebola situation in the DRC and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, amid hundreds of suspected cases and more than 100 suspected deaths. 

Hong Kong activated its Ebola Alert Response Level on 17 May and has prepared quarantine capacity at facilities such as Penny’s Bay on Lantau, though no local Ebola cases have ever been recorded.

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Health officials say the risk to Hong Kong remains low and is mainly linked to travel to affected areas, but they have stepped up screening at all boundary control points and provided on‑arrival health advice to travellers who recently visited outbreak zones. From 17 to 20 May, 11 such arrivals were assessed, with no suspected cases identified.

Macao authorities have echoed Hong Kong’s stance, saying the city is “on alert” over Ebola outbreaks in Africa while emphasising that the current public health risk is low. The Health Bureau has pledged to strengthen border controls and coordinate measures broadly in line with those already in place in Hong Kong, including closer health monitoring of travellers from affected regions.

Residents in both cities are being urged to avoid travel to areas with active Ebola transmission and to seek immediate medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever or unexplained bleeding within 21 days of returning from those regions. 

Officials are also encouraging outbound travellers to register their contact details before departure so they can receive timely health updates if the situation worsens.