The Government today announced it issued the red outbound travel alert for the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on public health considerations, reminding Hong Kong residents to avoid non-essential travel there.

The Government announced on May 17 the activation of the Alert Response Level in accordance with the Preparedness and Response Plan for Ebola Virus Disease. The relevant departments are fully prepared. Once a suspected case is identified, testing and comprehensive prevention and control measures will be implemented immediately in accordance with established protocols to prevent the spread of the virus in Hong Kong.

The Government emphasised that no confirmed cases of Ebola disease have ever been recorded locally. At present, the risk of Ebola disease is primarily confined to outbreak areas and the immediate public health impact to Hong Kong is currently low.

The World Health Organization recently declared that the Ebola disease epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

The Department of Health (DH) has assessed the risk of local transmission spreading to other regions as very high. The Government has therefore issued a red outbound travel alert for the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Hong Kong residents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who need assistance can call the Immigration Department (ImmD)'s 24-hour hotline at (852) 1868, call the 1868 hotline using network data or use the 1868 Chatbot via the ImmD's mobile app.

They can also send message the 1868 WhatsApp or 1868 WeChat assistance hotline or submit an online assistance request form.

Alternatively, they may contact the local Chinese Embassy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo at (243) 851474669.

Hong Kong residents are encouraged to use the online Registration of Outbound Travel Information service to register their contact details and itinerary when outside Hong Kong.

The information provided allows the DH and ImmD to disseminate practical information to them through appropriate means or a timely manner when necessary.

The DH has all along conducted health screenings for inbound travellers at all boundary control points. From May 17 to 20, 11 individuals who declared having visited the relevant regions underwent health assessments by the DH. No suspected cases of Ebola disease were identified.

DH staff also provided these individuals with health information on the spot, reminding them to seek immediate medical advice at accident and emergency departments if they develop symptoms within 21 days of arrival in Hong Kong.

In collaboration with the Hospital Authority, the DH has established procedures for handling high-risk specimens related to suspected cases to ensure that, should a suspected case arise in Hong Kong, testing can be conducted as quickly as possible.