Ebola scare: Uganda shuts border with DR Congo

Uganda has announced the temporary closure of its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the Ebola outbreak affecting its neighbouring country.

The decision was announced on Wednesday by Uganda’s Ministry of Health following the confirmation of seven cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola since the outbreak was detected in the DRC on May 15.

Speaking to reporters, the Permanent Secretary of Uganda’s Health Ministry, Diana Atwine, said the border closure takes immediate effect.

“Uganda is temporarily closing the border with the DRC with immediate effect,” Atwine stated.

She explained that only authorised Ebola response personnel, humanitarian workers, food and cargo transporters, as well as security operations, would be allowed access under strict health screening and monitoring measures.

“The only exceptions are for authorised Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transportation, and security under strict health screening and monitoring protocols,” she added.

Atwine also announced that all individuals arriving from the DRC would be subjected to a 21-day quarantine under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and district surveillance teams.

Health authorities will also conduct routine monitoring of pupils in schools located near the border areas as part of efforts to strengthen disease surveillance.

According to official figures, the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has resulted in more than 220 suspected deaths and over 900 suspected cases.

The World Health Organization, WHO, has since classified the outbreak as an international public health emergency.