Uganda has closed its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a bid to contain the Ebola outbreak affecting the neighbouring country.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health announced the measure after the East African nation recorded seven cases of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola since the outbreak was confirmed in the DRC on May 15.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Diana Atwine, announced the temporary border closure during a press briefing.
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“Uganda is temporarily closing the border with the DRC with immediate effect,” Atwine declared.
She explained that only authorised Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transport, as well as security personnel, would be permitted to cross under strict health screening and monitoring measures.
Atwine also announced a mandatory 21-day quarantine for all arrivals from the DRC, adding that the exercise would be supervised by the Ministry of Health and district surveillance teams.
She further disclosed that regular health checks would be conducted for pupils attending schools located near border communities.
According to official figures, the Ebola outbreak in the DRC has resulted in more than 220 suspected deaths and over 900 suspected cases.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international emergency.
Africanews
