Uganda should reconsider closure of its border with Congo over Ebola — WHO

KAMPALA — The Director-General of the World Health Organization said on Monday that Uganda should reconsider its decision to close its border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in response to an Ebola outbreak.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the remarks during a visit to an Ebola isolation unit at a hospital in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

He also praised Uganda’s handling of the outbreak, describing the country’s response as swift and capable.

However, when asked about Uganda’s recent decision to temporarily close its border with Congo to help contain the spread of Ebola, Tedros said blanket travel restrictions are not effective and expressed hope that Ugandan authorities would reconsider the measure.

The WHO has declared the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola a public health emergency of international concern.

Health authorities say the epicenter of the outbreak is in Congo’s Ituri province, where there have been 515 confirmed cases out of a national total of 544.

Uganda has reported 19 confirmed Ebola cases, most involving individuals who entered the country from Congo.

The World Health Organization continues to coordinate with regional health agencies to strengthen surveillance and containment efforts across affected areas. -Reporting by Elias Biryabarema;Additional reporting by Vincent Mumo Nzilani;Editing by Alexander Winning/Reuters