Kampala: Ugandan authorities on Wednesday ordered the immediate closure of the country’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo following a surge in cases of a rare strain of Ebola in eastern Congo and rising exposure risks within Uganda.
The decision was taken by a local Ebola task force led by Vice President Jesca Alupo after several Ugandan health workers were exposed to the virus by Congolese patients who crossed the border before the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), while declaring the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, cautioned against border closures and travel restrictions.
“No country should close its borders or place any restrictions on travel and trade. Such measures are usually implemented out of fear and have no basis in science,” the WHO said, while acknowledging that neighbouring countries remain at high risk.
The WHO warned that such restrictions could force people to use informal and unmonitored crossings, thereby increasing the risk of disease transmission. It advised that infected individuals or those who had contact with them should avoid international travel unless for medical evacuation.
The Uganda-Congo border stretches several hundred miles and includes numerous unofficial footpaths in addition to formal border crossings.
Health authorities in Congo are struggling to contain the outbreak, which the WHO said is spreading faster than response efforts. The rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola was confirmed only after delays caused by initial testing for a more common Ebola variant.
The number of suspected Ebola cases in eastern Congo is nearing 1,000, with at least 220 suspected deaths. Congo’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday that 101 cases had been confirmed, while more than 3,000 contacts were being monitored.
Authorities are also facing major challenges in eastern Congo, including armed group activity, large-scale displacement of people, and poor infrastructure.
Uganda has so far reported seven Ebola cases, including the first confirmed patient — a 59-year-old man who died in Kampala on May 14.
Although Uganda has not recorded a major spike in infections, officials said the number of people exposed through healthcare workers has been increasing.
“They have families, and so the number has been increasing,” said Dr Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, referring to exposed health workers.
She said cross-border movement into Congo would now be permitted only in emergency situations, including Ebola response operations, cargo transport, or security-related reasons.
Dr Atwine also expressed concern over large public gatherings in Uganda, saying she was dismayed to see crowds celebrating Arsenal’s English Premier League title victory.
“I don’t understand,” she said, urging Ugandans to remain vigilant, avoid handshakes, and regularly use sanitisers.
With PTI inputs