A new outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus in the\nDemocratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda has prompted several\ncountries to implement measures to halt its spread.<\/p>\n
According to Al Jazeera (28 May 2026), the World Health Organization\n(WHO) has recorded 220 suspected deaths and 900 suspected cases of the\ndeadly Bundibugyo virus (BVD) in DRC since Kinshasa declared the\noutbreak on 15 May. In Uganda, five cases and one death have been\nconfirmed.<\/p>\n
The UN health agency raised its national risk assessment for DRC from\nhigh to very high last week, but maintains a low global risk level.<\/p>\n
Despite this, several countries have announced temporary travel bans\nand border measures to contain the new strain.<\/p>\n
This week, Congo\u2019s Ministry of Transportation and Communications\nsuspended all flights to and from Bunia in eastern DRC to contain the\noutbreak. Bunia health zone is one of 11 affected zones in DRC.\nexceptions, such as humanitarian, medical, and emergency flights, may be\npermitted with special approval from aviation and health\nauthorities.<\/p>\n
Uganda has also imposed travel restrictions to and from DRC. all\ndirect flights have been suspended, while bus and boat crossings at\nborders have been halted for four weeks. weekly markets in border\ndistricts have been suspended, though cargo, essential goods, and food\nsupplies are still allowed to transit.<\/p>\n
Beyond the directly affected regions, Canada and the Bahamas have\ntemporarily banned entry for residents of DRC, Uganda, and South\nSudan.<\/p>\n
The Canadian government stated that residents from these countries\ncannot travel to Canada for 90 days starting Wednesday. Canadian\ncitizens, permanent residents, and other foreign nationals who have been\nin affected areas in recent weeks must quarantine for 21 days from 30\nMay, even if asymptomatic, according to Canada\u2019s public health\nagency.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Bahamian government said entry restrictions would take\neffect immediately and last 30 days, with provisions to be reviewed by\nthe Caribbean nation\u2019s health ministry.<\/p>\n
Last week, the United States banned all foreign nationals who had\ntraveled to DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days. on\nFriday, the Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the\nban to green card holders who had been in those countries within 21\ndays.<\/p>\n
US citizens who have visited affected areas are advised to return via\nspecific airports with enhanced screening: Washington Dulles\nInternational (IAD) for flights after 21 May; Atlanta\u2019s\nHartsfield-Jackson (ATL) after 22 May; and Houston\u2019s George Bush (IAH)\nafter 26 May.<\/p>\n
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration is\nexpected to deploy US public health officials to Kenya to man potential\nquarantine facilities for Americans exposed or at high risk of testing\npositive for the virus in the region, as well as those who have tested\npositive.<\/p>\n
In the Middle East, Jordan suspended entry for people from DRC and\nUganda on 19 May, per state-run news agency reports. Bahrain also\nsuspended entry for foreign travelers from South Sudan, DRC, and Uganda\nfor 30 days on the same day.<\/p>\n
No Ebola cases have been recorded in Canada, the Bahamas, the US,\nJordan, or Bahrain to date.<\/p>\n
India has implemented additional screening measures at major\ninternational airports and issued travel warnings urging citizens to\navoid trips to DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan.<\/p>\n
New Delhi also delayed its India-Africa summit scheduled this week\nand canceled the International Big Cat Alliance meeting, a India-led\ncoalition of 95 nations working to conserve seven large cat species.\nmany alliance members are African.<\/p>\n
Thailand has announced that only arrivals from DRC and Uganda via\nBangkok\u2019s Suvarnabhumi Airport will be permitted, provided they test\nnegative upon arrival.<\/p>\n
Mexico\u2019s health minister also announced enhanced Ebola screening at\nairports on Monday.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ebola-outbreak-countries-imposing-travel-restrictions-1779973851", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }