Africa CDC Calls for Science — Based Approach Amidst US Travel Restrictions on Ebola Outbreak BODY: KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has expressed its disapproval of the United States’travel advisory and entry restrictions imposed on non-US passport holders who have recently visited the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan.
The restrictions, described by Africa CDC as overly broad, were announced on May 19th. While acknowledging the right of every government to safeguard its citizens’health and security, Africa CDC emphasized that the use of broad travel restrictions as a primary public health measure is concerning.
The statement highlights the need for public health measures to be guided by science, proportionality, transparency, international cooperation, and adherence to international health regulations.
The Africa CDC argues that generalized travel restrictions and border closures are not effective in controlling outbreaks. Such measures can instill fear, harm economies, undermine transparency, complicate humanitarian and health operations, and lead to the proliferation of informal and unmonitored routes.
In response to the Ebola outbreak, the US Department of State has been implementing the CDC’s Title 42 order, which restricts entry for foreign nationals who have been to the affected regions within the last 21 days. This has led to an increase in travel restrictions, with advisories for the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda raised to Level 4 – Do Not Travel, and Rwanda at Level 3 – Reconsider Travel.
The US Department of State has also announced its support for efforts to combat the 17th Ebola outbreak in the DRC, funding the establishment of up to 50 treatment clinics in affected regions through @UNOCHA. These clinics aim to strengthen outbreak containment, expand access to care, and ensure critical resources reach the most affected communities. Africa CDC Director-General, Dr.
Jean Kaseya, called for global support to aggressively support outbreak control at its source. “Global health security cannot be achieved through borders alone, “Dr. Kaseya stated. “.
It is achieved through partnership, trust, science, and rapid investment in preparedness and response capacity. “.
The current Ebola outbreak in the DRC, primarily in Ituri province, has led to over 500 suspected cases, 30 laboratory-confirmed cases, and at least 134 deaths as of May 19th. Africa CDC has deployed a multidisciplinary team of experts to Bunia to reinforce the response to the ongoing outbreak, including field epidemiologists and specialists in digital health, risk communication, and community engagement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, convened an Emergency Committee to discuss the latest Ebola outbreak on May 16th. Today, May 20th, Dr. Tedros is hosting a media briefing with Committee Chair Lucille Blumberg and Vice-Chair Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Panafricanvisions
Source: Pan African Visions
