Africa CDC urges US to lift travel restrictions on Uganda due to Ebola
via SeneNews6 min read
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Africa CDC has called on the United States to lift travel restrictions imposed on Uganda, citing that the country has not reported any new Ebola cases for three weeks. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, stated at an African Union health summit in Accra, Ghana, that the organization does not recommend travel bans as a measure to control the spread of Ebola. He emphasized that such restrictions can hinder the delivery of medical supplies and personnel, and disrupt trade. Kaseya confirmed he has written to US Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy, to request the lifting of restrictions specifically targeting Uganda, noting that the last Ebola patient in Uganda was discharged on July 16. He argued there is no reason for the US to maintain these restrictions and that countries should not be "punished" for transparency during epidemics. While opposing travel restrictions, Kaseya warned about the rapidly worsening Ebola outbreak, stating that if not stopped, it could become the worst the world has ever seen. According to the World Health Organization, the Democratic Republic of Congo has recorded 2,344 confirmed Ebola cases and 930 deaths since mid-May, while Uganda has reported 20 cases and two deaths, primarily among Congolese nationals crossing the border. Africa CDC now estimates it needs $1.4 billion to contain the epidemic, nearly triple the initial $518 million projected last month. Health authorities also need
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