Uganda closes border with DR Congo as rare Ebola strain spreads

Uganda closes border with DR Congo amid Ebola outbreak

Ugandan authorities ordered the closure of the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo "with immediate effect" as suspected cases of a rare type of Ebola surge in the neighboring country and as infections emerge at home, according to multiple reports.

The decision was made by a local Ebola task force, following a rise in cases among Ugandan health workers who treated Congolese patients who crossed the border before the outbreak was declared, as reported by The Hindu, the South China Morning Post, and Deutsche Welle.

Border closure and quarantine measures

Uganda's Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, announced that travel across the Congo border will be authorized only in emergency cases, including for outbreak response, cargo, or security reasons, according to several sources. Anyone entering Uganda from Congo under emergency circumstances will face mandatory isolation for 21 days, she added.

Atwine also mentioned regular health checks for pupils at schools near the border, as reported by one Africa News article.

According to reports from Africa News and The Hindu, Uganda has recorded seven cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, including the first case of a 59-year-old man who died in Kampala, the capital.

Key claims

• Border closure: All five sources confirm that Uganda closed its border with the DRC. The decision was attributed to the Ebola task force, with some reports naming Vice President Jesca Alupo as its leader.
• Cases in Uganda: Seven cases of Ebola have been recorded in Uganda, according to multiple sources. The first case was a 59-year-old man who died in Kampala.
• Quarantine: A 21-day mandatory isolation has been announced for anyone entering Uganda from the DRC under emergency circumstances, as reported by multiple sources. One Africa News report also mentions that more than 100 people have been placed under quarantine, though this figure has not been independently verified.
• Outbreak in DRC: There is a discrepancy in reported figures. Africa News reported at least 131 deaths and more than 500 suspected cases in the DRC, while other sources (Africa News, Deutsche Welle, The Hindu, South China Morning Post) report more than 220 suspected deaths and around 900-1,000 suspected cases. According to the South China Morning Post, Congo's health ministry said 101 cases have been confirmed, with over 3,000 possible contacts being investigated.
• WHO declaration: The outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization, as reported by Africa News and Deutsche Welle. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also declared it a Continental Public Health Emergency, according to one Africa News report.
• WHO's stance on border closures: The WHO has discouraged border closures, stating that such measures are "usually implemented out of fear and have no basis in science," as quoted by Deutsche Welle. This contrasts with Uganda's decision.
• No vaccine or treatment: All sources agree that there is no approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has a high fatality rate.
• Uganda's experience: One Africa News article highlighted that Uganda's experience handling previous outbreaks, including Ebola, COVID-19, and HIV/AIDS, has strengthened its response capacity. However, the South China Morning Post notes that this type of Ebola poses a new challenge.

Health emergency and response

The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern, as reported by Africa News and Deutsche Welle. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also declared it a Continental Public Health Emergency.

While Uganda has reported only seven cases, the number of health workers exposed to the virus has been rising, according to Dr. Atwine, who said "They have families, and so the number has been increasing."

The closure of the border, however, goes against WHO guidance. The UN agency has acknowledged the high risk of contagion for neighboring countries but discourages travel restrictions, saying they "have no basis in science." Despite this, Ugandan authorities have proceeded with the measure, reflecting the heightened concern in the region.

Perspectives

Ugandan authorities view the border closure as a necessary precaution to prevent further spread, emphasizing the country's experience in handling previous outbreaks and the capacity of its health workers.

The World Health Organization opposes border closures, arguing they are ineffective and driven by fear rather than science, though it acknowledges the high risk to neighboring countries.

Local health workers in Uganda have expressed confidence in the government's ability to manage the outbreak, while also noting the challenges posed by this less common strain.

The situation remains fluid, with authorities in both countries monitoring the outbreak closely. As the world watches, the effectiveness of Uganda's border closure in containing the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain will be closely scrutinized.