Kampala: Uganda has stepped up emergency health measures and tightened border controls after a growing Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo raised fears of wider regional spread. Health officials in both countries are struggling to contain the virus as infections continue to rise in border communities where people regularly move between the two nations for trade, work and medical treatment.
The outbreak is linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a form of the virus that has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The World Health Organization has declared the situation a global public health emergency because of the increasing number of suspected cases and the danger of international spread.
Authorities in Congo say nearly 1000 suspected cases have now been recorded, with more than 200 suspected deaths reported mainly in the conflict affected Ituri Province. Uganda has also confirmed several cases, including infections among healthcare workers in Kampala. The outbreak has created fear among communities living near the border, where many families have relatives on both sides and daily movement is common.
The first confirmed case in Uganda involved a Congolese man who reportedly travelled to Kampala seeking medical care. He later died before doctors identified Ebola as the cause of his illness. Several people who came into contact with him, including medical staff, were later confirmed infected. Health officials quickly began tracing contacts and isolating suspected patients to stop further spread.
Uganda has temporarily closed some border crossings with Congo and introduced health screening measures at entry points. Emergency travellers entering the country are now facing strict monitoring and isolation procedures. President Yoweri Museveni has also urged the public to avoid handshakes and crowded gatherings as a precaution.
Health experts say the situation remains difficult because eastern Congo is already facing armed conflict, mass displacement and weak healthcare systems. Many villages affected by the outbreak are hard to reach, while violence in the region has disrupted humanitarian operations. Aid workers have also reported shortages of protective equipment and difficulties tracking people who may have been exposed to the virus.
International health agencies are increasing support for the response effort. The World Health Organization has called for urgent international assistance and appealed for safe access to affected communities. Aid group Samaritan’s Purse is preparing a treatment centre in Bunia to help manage the growing number of patients.
Medical experts warn that closing official border points may not fully stop the virus from spreading because many people use unofficial crossing routes through forests and remote villages. Public health workers fear that strict restrictions could push movement underground and make it harder to identify infected people and trace contacts.
Despite the growing concern, health authorities say Ebola can still be contained through early detection, isolation of patients and public awareness campaigns. Communities are being encouraged to report symptoms quickly and cooperate with health teams. Officials are also stressing the importance of safe burial practices because the virus can spread through contact with infected bodies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the current risk outside the region remains low, but international monitoring has been intensified. Airports and health agencies in several countries are closely watching developments in Central and East Africa.
For many people living near the Congo Uganda border, the outbreak has brought back painful memories of previous Ebola epidemics that caused widespread fear and economic hardship. Traders say movement restrictions are already affecting business activities and daily life in local communities.
Health workers on the front lines continue to urge calm while calling for stronger cooperation between governments, aid agencies and local communities to prevent the outbreak from turning into a larger regional crisis.