According to AP, the decision, announced on Wednesday by Uganda’s Ministry of Health, comes as health officials battle the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a deadly variant for which there are currently no approved vaccines or medicines.
Ugandan authorities have ordered the immediate closure of the country’s border with the Democratic Republic of Congo following a sharp rise in suspected Ebola cases in eastern Congo and growing fears of cross-border transmission.
According to AP, the decision, announced on Wednesday by Uganda’s Ministry of Health, comes as health officials battle the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a deadly variant for which there are currently no approved vaccines or medicines.
Uganda’s Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Diana Atwine, said the border closure became necessary after several Ugandan health workers were reportedly exposed to Congolese patients who crossed into Uganda before Congo officially declared the outbreak on May 15.
According to Atwine, movement across the border will now only be permitted under emergency conditions, including cargo transportation, security operations, or activities directly related to the Ebola response.
