The United States has extended travel restrictions on nationals from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and South Sudan for another 30 days due to the risk of cross-border transmission linked to the Ebola outbreak.
The restrictions have faced criticism from Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO), which argue that blanket travel restrictions lack sufficient scientific evidence of effectiveness in controlling disease outbreaks.
In an October 11 notice, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the outbreak in eastern DRC remained a concern despite ongoing response efforts.
Uganda declared its domestic Ebola outbreak over on July 28 after recording 20 confirmed cases and two deaths. However, its health authorities say surveillance and cross-border preparedness measures remain in place.
The US-CDC cited continued cross-border movement and declining contact-tracing coverage as factors increasing the risk of transmission, citing the case of Kenya’s first reported Bundibugyo virus disease and death involving a traveler who had travelled from DRC through Uganda to Nairobi.
Although Uganda has declared its domestic outbreak over, the CDC said continued cross-border movement from neighbouring DRC posed a risk of transmission. particularly in western Uganda.
The latest notice covers Uganda, DRC and South Sudan but does not include Kenya, where a case of Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD), a form of Ebola, was reported last week.
Explaining why Uganda remains subject to the restrictions despite declaring its outbreak over, the CDC cited the risk posed by travelers crossing from DRC.
“Although Uganda has achieved successful containment of the outbreak, continued overland travel from DRC poses an ongoing risk of cross-border transmission, particularly among healthcare workers and in western Ugandan districts that serve as points of entry for travellers seeking medical care,” the agency said.
The agency said the outbreak in eastern DRC remained a concern despite ongoing response efforts.
Uganda declared the end of its domestic Ebola outbreak on July 28 after recording 20 confirmed cases and two deaths, as well as one probable case and one probable death.
MG/as/APA