UK airports and transport hubs are implementing new safety measures in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in sub-Saharan Africa, which has resulted in more than 60 confirmed deaths to date. Passengers arriving on direct flights from Kampala, Uganda’s capital, into Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester airports will encounter notices from the UK Health Security Agency advising them to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms consistent with Ebola.

In addition to these airports, informational posters are being displayed at Birmingham airport and St Pancras International train station to reach travelers arriving from the affected region via indirect routes. While the outbreak is mainly concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which does not have direct flights to the UK from its capital Kinshasa, authorities are targeting flights from Uganda where direct arrivals are more frequent.

Onboard announcements will also be made to passengers flying directly from Uganda, instructing anyone who develops symptoms such as fever to immediately report this to flight attendants.

In a broader effort to strengthen the UK’s public health response, officials have launched the Multi-Hazard Research Network. This expert operation aims to provide rapid advice and scientific evidence not only for the current Ebola situation but also to enhance preparedness for other emerging infectious disease outbreaks and health emergencies.

These measures reflect the UK’s proactive approach to mitigating the risk of Ebola transmission amid the ongoing crisis in sub-Saharan Africa.