The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has criticised new travel restrictions imposed by the United States in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization on Sunday.
Under the new US restrictions, non US passport holders who have travelled through Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous 21 days are barred from entering the United States.
The policy has already caused disruptions, including affecting preparations of the DR Congo national football team for World Cup events.
Reports also said a flight bound for Detroit was diverted to Canada after authorities discovered a traveller from DR Congo onboard.
Africa CDC warned that broad travel bans and border closures may worsen the situation rather than contain it.
The agency stated that such restrictions could create fear, damage economies, discourage transparency and push people towards informal and unmonitored travel routes, potentially increasing public health risks.
Officials also highlighted the absence of approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola despite the virus being identified nearly two decades ago.
Africa CDC described this as evidence of deeper inequality in global health innovation and argued that stronger international medical efforts may have existed if wealthier countries had faced the same threat directly.
Githinji Gitahi of Amref Health Africa supported the criticism, stating that travel bans “stop solidarity” rather than viruses and that outbreak control should focus on affected regions instead of isolation.
Meanwhile, Chris Baryomunsi said Uganda has extensive experience handling Ebola outbreaks and described the US response as an overreaction.
According to WHO figures, the outbreak has been linked to around 139 deaths and approximately 600 suspected cases in DR Congo, along with confirmed infections in Uganda.
Health authorities continue working to contain the outbreak amid concerns about regional spread and limited healthcare infrastructure in affected areas.
