LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Uganda’s Ministry of Health has announced the temporary closure of its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo following rising Ebola cases linked to the deadly outbreak spreading across the region.
Uganda has taken by shutting its border with Democratic Republic of Congo after fresh cases of the virus were detected.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by health officials, who confirmed that Uganda has already recorded seven cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola since the outbreak was first identified in Congo on May 15.
Speaking to reporters, Uganda’s Health Ministry permanent secretary, Diana Atwine, said it was necessary to take emergency measures to prevent the spread of Ebola.
The border closure takes immediate effect as authorities work to contain the disease.
“Uganda is temporarily closing the border with the DRC with immediate effect,” Atwine revealed.
Furthermore, Atwine explained that only selected groups would still be allowed to cross the border under strict monitoring guidelines.
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“The only exceptions are for authorized Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transportation, and security under strict health screening and monitoring protocols,” she listed.
Health authorities also introduced additional safety measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
These include a mandatory 21-day quarantine for anyone entering Uganda from Congo, supervised by the Ministry of Health and district surveillance officials.
In addition, schools located near the border will carry out regular health checks on pupils to help detect possible symptoms early.
The Ebola outbreak in Congo has continued to raise global concern, with official figures reporting more than 220 suspected deaths and over 900 suspected cases so far.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has already classified the outbreak as an international health emergency.
Ultimately, the latest restrictions by Uganda’s health authority highlight growing fears across East Africa as governments intensify efforts to stop the deadly virus from spreading beyond affected communities.
