Ebola Virus Spread: Uganda Closes Borders with DRC

Uganda has implemented an immediate four-week closure of its borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in an urgent effort to contain the spread of the Ebola virus.

The decision was prompted by a rise in infections among Ugandan healthcare workers. These medical professionals had treated patients arriving from the DRC before the epidemic was officially declared on May 15. The border closure aims to halt cross-border movement and prevent further importation of cases into Uganda.

As of now, Uganda has officially recorded 7 confirmed Ebola cases and one death, a 59-year-old man who died in the capital, Kampala, in mid-May. The number of contact cases, particularly among medical teams, is also growing.

The situation remains critical in the eastern DRC, where an estimated nearly 1,000 suspected cases and over 200 probable deaths have been reported across three eastern regions, including North Kivu and South Kivu. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a catastrophic collision between the epidemic and the ongoing armed conflicts in the region, noting that fighting and mass population displacement are hindering health efforts. The WHO is calling for an immediate ceasefire from all belligerent parties.