World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has urged countries to reconsider travel bans and border closures imposed in response to the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring Uganda.
Speaking in Bunia, the epicentre of the outbreak in eastern Congo, Tedros warned that travel restrictions could undermine transparency and cooperation, which are critical to controlling infectious disease outbreaks.
“I call on countries that have imposed travel bans or border closures to reconsider. These measures make the response harder, and they discourage transparency and trust that saves lives,” he said.
The WHO chief’s visit comes as health authorities continue efforts to trace contacts, strengthen surveillance systems, and contain the spread of the virus in eastern Congo.
According to the WHO, authorities in the DRC have reported 906 suspected Ebola cases and 223 suspected deaths linked to the outbreak.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Uganda has confirmed nine cases and one death, according to that country’s Ministry of Health.
Health officials say the outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Following discussions with Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Tedros expressed confidence in the country’s capacity to contain the outbreak despite the growing challenges.
“This is a difficult situation, and we recognize that. But the Democratic Republic of Congo has faced the Ebola virus many times before. We are confident that it can once again bring this outbreak under control,” he said.
The WHO has emphasized that cooperation among communities, health authorities, and neighbouring countries remains essential to preventing wider regional transmission.
