Uganda Closes Borders to Contain Ebola Outbreak
Uganda’s government has decided to immediately close its borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to the epidemiological situation caused by the Ebola outbreak, according to the Ministry of Health.
“The government will temporarily close borders with the DRC immediately. The only exceptions are for authorised Ebola response teams, humanitarian operations, food and cargo transport, and security under strict health inspection and monitoring protocols,” the ministry stated on Wednesday (28 May).
The statement emphasised that anyone returning from the DRC to Uganda will undergo 21 days of self-isolation under health officer supervision.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), posing a threat to other nations. Recent data shows 221 suspected Ebola-related deaths in the DRC.
The previous Ebola outbreak in the DRC ended in October 2025.
Violence in eastern DRC involves several armed groups, including the M23 rebels and the Cooperative for the Development of the Congo militia.
Under an additional policy effective from 30 May at 23:59 Eastern Time until 29 August, Canada will enforce mandatory 21-day quarantines for its citizens.
No Ebola cases have been recorded in Mexico, and the risk of virus spread there remains very low, officials said.
Scientists at the University of Oxford in the UK are developing a new vaccine for the current Ebola outbreak in Congo, which is expected to enter clinical trials.
The PHEIC designation is considered a serious signal, indicating cross-border transmission risks if the outbreak is not swiftly controlled.
Amid the surge in Ebola cases in Congo, the US has banned patients from entering and set up quarantine facilities in Kenya. The plan has drawn sharp criticism and been deemed unethical.
The Democratic Republic of Congo national football team has confirmed it will not alter its preparations for the 2026 World Cup despite squad members being required to isolate due to the Ebola outbreak.
The WHO reports 101 confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC, with the Africa CDC warning 10 neighbouring countries face high risk of regional spread.