Ebola: US maintains travel restrictions on Uganda despite WHO, Africa CDC calls
The US government has extended travel restrictions for individuals from Uganda, the DRC, and South Sudan due to ongoing Ebola outbreak risks. The CDC maintains that despite containment progress in Uganda, regional cross-border travel poses a public health threat.
Why it matters
The decision reflects the tension between international health organizations' recommendations and national border security policies during disease outbreaks.
The United States government has issued a new order extending its suspension of travellers from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Sudan from entering the country, citing evolving dynamics of the regional Ebola outbreak. In an October 11 notice, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—operating under the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—stated that the updated directive "will be in effect for 30 days".
While acknowledging Uganda’s successful containment efforts, Washington pointed to lingering regional vulnerabilities that it argues pose ongoing risks to public health. The new notice specifically targets DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, notably omitting Kenya, where an Ebola case was confirmed last week. Explaining the rationale behind including Uganda despite its clear status, the CDC cited the high risk of cross-border transmission from neighbouring DRC.
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