WHO warns travel bans could worsen Ebola surge in Congo and Uganda
WHO Director-General warns travel restrictions could sabotage Ebola response as cases surge in Congo and Uganda
The World Health Organization (WHO) has intensified its call for global solidarity in combating the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warning on Saturday that travel curbs risk undermining transparency and hampering containment efforts. The outbreak, declared on May 15, has now reached 1,077 suspected cases, including 121 confirmed infections and 17 deaths, according to the DRC’s Health Ministry . Uganda has reported 18 deaths linked to the virus, prompting authorities to close its border with the DRC .
Tedros, who visited the outbreak’s epicenter in Ituri province this weekend, emphasized that border closures and travel restrictions—such as China’s advisory against non-essential travel to the DRC—could discourage affected countries from reporting cases openly . The WHO has raised its alert level to "very high" amid fears of further spread .
Efforts to deploy experimental treatments and vaccines face delays, with the WHO confirming that evaluations of candidate therapies will take "several more months" . Meanwhile, UNICEF has airlifted 100 metric tons of emergency supplies, including protective gear and medical equipment, to support frontline health workers in the DRC .
The DRC government has ruled out school closures despite five student fatalities, opting instead for heightened preventive measures in eastern provinces. Health Minister Roger Kamba urged families to seek immediate medical care for suspected cases, warning against home treatment . In Kenya, a court has temporarily blocked a U.S.-backed plan to establish an Ebola quarantine facility, citing constitutional concerns, though Washington says it remains confident the issue can be resolved .
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, has now spread across the DRC and into Uganda, marking the first cross-border transmission since the 2018–2020 epidemic. With vaccine trials still months from completion, health officials stress that rapid case detection, contact tracing, and community engagement remain the most effective tools to curb the virus’s spread.
WHO warns travel bans could worsen Ebola surge in Congo and Uganda
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