International Travel and Border Restrictions Begin as Deadly Ebola Outbreak Spreads

A number of countries have confirmed they are imposing travel restrictions that ban arrivals who might possibly have been exposed to the Ebola virus.

The moves come after the U.N. aviation agency urged governments and flight operators to closely follow guidelines put in place following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) has recorded 220 suspected deaths and 900 suspected cases of the lethal Bundibugyo (BVD) strain of Ebola in DRC since Kinshasa declared the outbreak on May 15, the BBC reports.

The Congolese Ministry of Transport and Communications suspended all flights to and from Bunia in eastern DRC in an attempt to contain the Ebola outbreak. The Bunia health zone is one of 11 DRC health zones affected by the disease.

Uganda has also introduced restrictions on travel to and from the DRC. All direct flights have been suspended, while bus and boat border crossings have been halted for