Uganda Seals Off Border With Democratic Republic of Congo: Tensions Rise

In response to the burgeoning Ebola crisis, Uganda has temporarily closed its borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This drastic measure will last four weeks, according to government announcements. Exceptions are made for authorized Ebola response teams, humanitarian aid, food and freight transport, and security forces, all subject to strict health screenings and surveillance, stated Diana Atwine, a secretary from Uganda’s Ministry of Health.

Furthermore, a 21-day quarantine has been mandated for anyone entering Uganda from the DRC. This follows Uganda’s earlier action to halt all public transport connections with its neighbor.

However, the World Health Organization (WHO) criticizes Uganda’s approach. The organization argues that shutting down borders often pushes people and goods to use unofficial crossings that lack proper monitoring, potentially increasing the risk of the disease spreading further.

According to the WHO, nearly 1,000 suspected cases of Ebola have been reported in the DRC with at least 220 deaths believed to be linked to the virus. Uganda has confirmed seven infections, including one fatality.

The outbreak, which was officially reported on May 15 in the Ituri province of the DRC, had likely been spreading undetected for months, the WHO suggested. The international health body has declared a global health emergency in response to the outbreak.

The current epidemic is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are no vaccines or targeted treatments available. The mortality rate for this strain ranges from 30 to 50 percent.