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Ebola outbreak: Uganda shuts border with DR Congo
In a bid to prevent further spread of Ebola virus from its neighbouring country, Uganda on Wednesday shut its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday.
This was disclosed by the country’s health ministry, as the East African country has so far recorded seven cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola since its outbreak in DR Congo on May 15.
The permanent secretary of the Ugandan health ministry, Diana Atwine stated: “Uganda is temporarily closing the border with the DRC with immediate effect.”
Atwine said exceptions have been made for few health, security and humanitarian personnel.
“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 said.
Atwine further stated that a 21-day quarantine has been slated for anyone arriving from the DR Congo, under the supervision of the health ministry and district surveillance teams.
School pupils near the border would also undergo regular checks ups.
Official figures reveal more than 220 suspected deaths and 900 suspected cases in the DR Congo, with the World Health Organization declaring the development an international emergency.
Health authorities reported a deadly Ebola virus outbreak in eastern DR Congo on May 15, with 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths.
The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC Africa) said in a statement that four initial deaths were reported among laboratory-confirmed cases on May 15.
