Rwandan officials have stepped up health monitoring and imposed stricter controls along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo as a deadly Ebola outbreak tied to the rare Bundibugyo strain continues to expand in the region. More than 131 deaths and 531 suspected cases have been recorded in eastern DR Congo, leading the World Health Organization to classify the situation as an international public health emergency.
At border entry points near the Congolese city of Goma, medical teams are carrying out temperature checks and screening travellers arriving in Rwanda.
The heightened precautions come amid concerns that the virus could spread to other parts of East Africa. Since confirming the outbreak, Rwanda has also limited movement across the border.
People living in Rubavu district in Rwanda say the stricter regulations are hurting businesses and slowing down trade activities.
“We hope the government can find a way for us to continue transporting goods across the border safely while maintaining preventive measures,” trader Nsengiyaremye Kigendi said.
Another resident, Twiringirimana Daniel, explained that traders now have to leave products at the border for transporters from the Congolese side to pick up, a process he says is cutting profits and causing financial losses.
Rare Ebola strain sparks concern
Health officials say the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo variant of Ebola, an uncommon strain that currently has no approved vaccine or targeted treatment.
The same strain previously caused outbreaks in Uganda in 2007 and DR Congo in 2012, with fatality rates estimated between 30 and 50 percent.
The latest outbreak is concentrated in Ituri province in northeastern Congo, an area heavily affected by violence and displacement.
Insecurity hampers containment efforts
Attempts to control the spread of the virus are facing major challenges due to ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, where several armed groups remain active.
Mongbwalu, identified as the centre of the outbreak, is located in an area controlled by the CODECO militia, while nearby regions continue to face attacks from the Allied Democratic Forces, a group linked to the Islamic State.
Further south, clashes continue between Congolese troops and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels despite a peace deal reached last year.
An Ebola infection has also been confirmed in Goma, a key city near the Rwandan border that is currently under M23 control.
US raises travel alert
As fears grow across the region, the United States has upgraded its travel advisory for DR Congo, South Sudan and Uganda to Level Four, warning citizens not to travel there.
American authorities have also urged travellers to reconsider visiting Rwanda due to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
Public health specialists warn that continued violence, mass displacement and restricted humanitarian access could worsen the spread of the disease throughout the region.