South Africa has identified 36 hospitals designated for the treatment of patients suspected of having Ebola. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi made the announcement in July 2026. The designated facilities include 24 public hospitals and 12 private ones, as reported on October 24, 2026.
Hospital Readiness and Screening Measures
The selected hospitals are tasked with receiving and isolating suspected Ebola patients to minimize the risk of transmission in regular hospital wards. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) is currently on high alert and is preparing to safely test any suspected cases.
Port health officials are actively screening travelers arriving from countries experiencing Ebola outbreaks. Those showing symptoms may be referred for a medical examination. This initiative has been transferred from the Health Ministry to the Border Management Authority and is described as a targeted health control measure rather than an outright travel ban.
In recent reports, the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has raised concerns globally. As of October 4, 2026, there have been more than 8,600 confirmed cases and 4,148 deaths linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain. Kenya confirmed an imported case on October 6, marking the fourth country to identify such a case in this ongoing outbreak.
The World Health Organization has classified the situation as a public health emergency of international concern, noting that there are currently no approved vaccines or specific treatments available for the Bundibugyo strain. Care protocols largely involve isolating patients and providing supportive treatment.
Despite the outbreak, South Africa remains off the list of countries subject to U.S. travel restrictions related to Ebola. Starting at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 3, 2026, all international air travelers bound for the U.S. will be required to declare whether they have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past 21 days, although a layover in Johannesburg does not trigger entry restrictions.
