Uganda closes its border with Congo due to Ebola; Canada and the Bahamas impose travel restrictions.

Written by: Ayman Ragab

Uganda has announced the temporary closure of its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo in an effort to contain the Ebola outbreak, amid growing international concerns about the spread of the new strain of the disease in the region.

The Ugandan Ministry of Health said the closure decision comes “in light of the escalating” infections in the neighboring country, explaining that border crossings will be limited to epidemic control teams, humanitarian aid, transport of goods and food supplies, and some security personnel, with all arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo subject to a 21-day quarantine.

Tightening health monitoring procedures at border crossings

During a press conference, the Permanent Secretary of the Ugandan Ministry of Health, Diana Atweyne, confirmed that the authorities have tightened health monitoring procedures at border crossings to prevent the spread of infection.

In a related development, Canada and the Bahamas announced temporary restrictions on entry for residents arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan due to concerns about the spread of the virus.

The Canadian government explained that the ban will take effect from Wednesday for 90 days, with the aim of reducing the risk of the Ebola virus spreading into the country.

She also noted that Canadian citizens, permanent residents and foreigners who have visited the affected areas in recent weeks will be subject to a 21-day quarantine starting May 30.

For its part, the Bahamian government announced that the travel ban would be implemented immediately for 30 days, with the possibility of later review by the Ministry of Health, along with tightening health screening procedures and imposing possible quarantine on arrivals who have recently visited affected countries.

The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has turned into a nationwide outbreak within the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Last Friday, the World Health Organization raised the risk level of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus becoming a nationwide outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to "very high," warning that the strain spreading in Congo and Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern.

The United States also took similar measures last week, by barring entry to non-citizens who had visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in recent weeks.