Italy's Meloni Urges EU Border Coordination as Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Spreads in Central Africa

Italy's call for EU action

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has formally requested enhanced European Union coordination on border surveillance to manage the risk from the Bundibugyo Ebola virus (BVD) outbreak in Central Africa. In a letter addressed to EU Council President Nikos Christodoulides, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Meloni urged the adoption of common rules for handling direct and indirect arrivals from affected zones. A statement from Palazzo Chigi emphasized that Italy believes the epidemiological situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda requires the utmost attention.

The aim is to urge — while respecting national prerogatives on health protection — enhanced coordination of border surveillance through common rules for managing direct and indirect arrivals from the affected areas.

European Commission response

The European Commission confirmed receipt of Meloni's letter and pledged to respond in due course. Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova stated that public health protection remains the Commission's absolute priority and that the situation demands vigilance and coordination. The EU is mobilizing aid, logistical resources, expert support, and health security tools to assist affected countries in containing the epidemic and reducing further transmission risk.

We are closely following the evolution of the situation, which requires vigilance and coordination. We have the channels and tools to act quickly.

The Health Security Committee, in agreement with member states, issued an opinion last week stating that the most important measure at this stage is exit screening from affected regions. Member state representatives are also regularly discussing travel management from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

Outbreak scale and WHO data

The World Health Organization has reported 906 suspected cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, including 223 suspected deaths under investigation. Uganda has confirmed seven cases, three of which were imported from the DRC, with one death recorded. The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, began in mid-May and has prompted international concern.

Italian national measures

At the national level, Italy's health ministry, in coordination with the civil protection department, has issued guidelines for targeted health surveillance and monitoring protocols for travelers returning from affected regions. A team of experts from Rome's Spallanzani Institute is being dispatched to Kinshasa, DRC, as early as this weekend to provide technical assistance, deliver medical supplies and medicines, and strengthen epidemiological surveillance. The mission has been arranged by Italy's foreign and health ministries, civil protection department, and foreign intelligence service.

Negative test for returning doctor

An Italian doctor from Médecins Sans Frontières who had been in contact with Ebola-positive patients in the DRC tested negative for the virus at the Spallanzani hospital in Rome. The surgeon, who returned to Rome overnight, is asymptomatic but voluntarily authorized the test and remains in quarantine at the facility. The health ministry reiterated that there is no Ebola alarm in Italy and that preparedness and surveillance activities have been active from the outset, with ongoing monitoring of the epidemiological situation in coordination with national and local health authorities.

There is no Ebola alarm in Italy.

Proposed next steps

Meloni has proposed discussing border management at the European Council meeting scheduled for 18–19 June. The Italian government has also requested a video-conference of EU health ministers on border surveillance coordination as early as next week, and for operational priorities to be agreed at the EPSCO Council on 16 June. These diplomatic moves aim to secure a unified European approach before any potential escalation of the outbreak.