Uganda closes border with DR Congo to curb Ebola spread
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Uganda has closed its border with neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo with immediate effect to try to limit the spread of Ebola, Uganda’s government says.
The border will be closed for four weeks, except for Ebola response teams, humanitarian and security operations, and food and cargo transport, senior health official Diana Atwine told a press conference.
Uganda has reported seven Ebola cases and one death in the outbreak, whose epicentre is in DR Congo’s Ituri province.
DR Congo has recorded more than 900 suspected cases and about 220 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation, which has declared the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola a public health emergency of international concern.
A local Ebola task force led by Vice President Jessica Alupo made the decision after a rise in Ugandan health workers exposed to the virus by DR Congolese patients who crossed the border before the outbreak was declared on May 15.
Uganda’s government last week announced an initial set of measures to try to limit the cross-border spread of the virus, including suspending public transport services with DR Congo.
Atwine said on Wednesday that any person authorised to enter Uganda from DR Congo would be required to undergo mandatory self-isolation for 21 days.
with AP
Reuters