Uganda shuts DR Congo border over ebola outbreak

Uganda has closed its border with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo for four weeks in an effort to contain the spread of Ebola, as fears grow over a worsening outbreak linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

Ugandan health authorities announced the immediate closure on Wednesday, saying only Ebola response teams, humanitarian workers, security personnel, and cargo transporters carrying food and essential goods would be allowed to cross.

Reuters reports that Senior Health official, Diana Atwine, said all authorised entrants from Congo would be subjected to mandatory 21-day self-isolation as part of strict containment measures.

Uganda has so far recorded seven Ebola cases and one death connected to the outbreak, whose epicentre is in Ituri province in eastern Congo.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says Congo has reported more than 900 suspected cases and over 220 deaths, prompting the UN agency to declare the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

The latest restrictions follow earlier measures introduced by Kampala last week, including the suspension of public transport services between Uganda and Congo.

Health officials say the temporary border closure is intended to slow cross-border transmission as authorities intensify surveillance, contact tracing, and public health screening operations.

The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected persons and can cause severe fever, bleeding, and organ failure.

Previous outbreaks in the region have posed significant challenges because of porous borders and frequent movement of communities between the two countries.

Uganda’s government has urged citizens to remain vigilant and immediately report suspected symptoms to health authorities as efforts continue to prevent a wider regional spread of the disease.

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