US NEWS : Uganda condemns air travel ban over Ebola

 

Uganda condemns air travel ban over Ebola

 

 

Uganda has strongly condemned the move, which comes as countries including the United States have imposed air travel bans or restrictions on Uganda due to an Ebola outbreak spreading from neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

The country has criticized the measures as “unfair.”

The East African country’s response to the latest outbreak of the deadly hemorrhagic fever has been widely praised by public health officials.

Only two people have died out of 19 confirmed cases since the Democratic Republic of Congo was put on alert in mid-May. Almost all of the infected were Congolese nationals who crossed the border into Uganda from their home countries.

The Republic of Congo has reported more than 676 confirmed cases and 136 deaths since May 15.

Uganda's Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Diana Atwin said on social media on Friday (June 12) that the Ugandan Health Ministry, Civil Aviation Authority, ambassadors and airlines serving Uganda have discussed the unjustified travel ban imposed on Uganda due to the current Ebola situation.

She added, "We understand the need for caution. However, blanket bans undermine trust in countries that are transparent in reporting infections and are not commensurate with the real risk."

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the country's strategy during a visit to Uganda on Monday.

However, the UN health agency warned on Friday that the outbreak was spreading to new areas in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.