Uganda closes Democratic Republic of the Congo border as rare Ebola cases surge

Ugandan authorities on Wednesday ordered the closure of the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo “with immediate effect” as cases surge there of a rare type of Ebola and as others emerge at home.

An Ebola taskforce led by vice president Jesca Alupo made the decision after a rise in the number of Ugandan health workers exposed to the virus by Democratic Republic of the Congo patients who crossed the border before the outbreak was declared on May 15.

“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 World Health Organisation said in its declaration of this outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, while acknowledging that neighbouring countries are at high risk.

The WHO added: “They push the movement of people and goods to informal border crossings that are not monitored, thus increasing the chances of the spread of disease.”

It said infected people or those who have been in contact with them should not undertake international travel unless it is a medical evacuation.

The border between Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo is several hundred miles long and crossed by numerous footpaths beyond formal border posts.

Health authorities in Democratic Republic of the Congo are struggling to contain the outbreak that the WHO has said is outpacing them, after the rare Bundibugyo type of Ebola was confirmed weeks late as tests were carried out for a more common type.

The number of suspected Ebola cases in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is nearing 1,000, with at least 220 suspected deaths.

Democratic Republic of the Congo’s health ministry on Tuesday said 101 cases have been confirmed, and they are looking into more than 3,000 possible contacts.

Challenges include the threat of armed groups in the east of the country, a large number of displaced people and poor infrastructure.

Uganda has reported seven cases of Ebola, including the first case of a 59-year-old man who died in Kampala, the capital, on May 14.

While the Ebola case load in Uganda is not spiking, the number of people exposed to infection via health workers has been rising.

“They have families, and so the number has been increasing,” Dr Diana Atwine, permanent secretary of the ministry of health, said of health workers.

Travel across the border will be authorised only in emergency cases, including for the Ebola response, cargo or security reasons, she said.

She said she was dismayed to see some Ugandans forming crowds to celebrate Arsenal as British Premier League champions. The team has a large following in Uganda.

“I don’t understand,” Dr Atwine said, urging Ugandans to be vigilant, avoid shaking hands and use sanitiser.