By Geneva/Kampala — Governments worldwide have rushed to impose travel bans and heightened health screenings as a deadly outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola continues to escalate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and spill into Uganda.
Since the outbreak was declared by Congolese authorities on May 15, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded 220 suspected deaths and around 900 suspected cases in the DRC. Uganda has confirmed five cases, including one death. The WHO has elevated its national risk assessment for the DRC to “very high,” while maintaining that the global risk remains low for now.
In a bid to contain the highly fatal virus, several nations have enacted strict border controls.
Travel Bans Imposed
Canada has barred residents from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan from entering the country for 90 days. Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have recently visited the affected areas must undergo a 21-day quarantine starting May 30, even if asymptomatic.
The Bahamas has introduced immediate entry restrictions for travellers from the same three countries, set to last 30 days pending review.
The United States has banned non-citizens who visited the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days. The CDC has extended these restrictions to green card holders. American citizens returning from the region must arrive through designated airports with enhanced screening: Washington Dulles (after May 21), Atlanta (after May 22), and Houston (after May 26).
Jordan and Bahrain have also suspended entry for travellers from the affected countries. Reports indicate the Trump administration is preparing to establish a quarantine facility in Kenya for exposed or infected Americans.
Regional Containment Efforts
Inside the epicentre, the DRC has suspended all flights to and from Bunia, a key affected health zone in the east, with limited exceptions for humanitarian and medical flights. Uganda has halted direct flights, bus services, and boat crossings with the DRC for four weeks, and suspended weekly border markets, while allowing essential freight and food supplies to continue.
Screening Measures
Other countries have opted for enhanced vigilance rather than outright bans. India has ramped up airport screenings, issued travel advisories, and postponed major international events including an India-Africa summit. Thailand will only permit visitors from the DRC and Uganda to enter through Bangkok’s main airport after negative tests. Mexico has also increased screening at its airports.
Virus Containment Challenges
The Bundibugyo strain spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus acknowledged that delayed detection has allowed the outbreak to gain momentum.
“We are urgently scaling up operations, but at the moment, the epidemic is outpacing us,” Tedros said. “But we know this virus, and we know how to stop it. We have stopped every previous Ebola outbreak, and we will stop this one, too.”
Health authorities in the DRC and Uganda are focusing on contact tracing, treatment centres, and infection control. The United Nations and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have urged airlines and governments to avoid unnecessary border closures, emphasising exit screening in affected areas and adherence to established health protocols.
No cases have been reported so far in countries that have imposed restrictions. However, experts warn that the effectiveness of these measures will depend on swift and coordinated international action to prevent further cross-border transmission.
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