Uganda has halted all travel links with neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo in an effort to reduce the risk of Ebola spreading across the border.
The outbreak of the deadly haemorrhagic disease was officially confirmed last week in Ituri Province in eastern DR Congo, a region that shares a border with Uganda.
According to Uganda’s Health Ministry Permanent Secretary, Diana Atwine, Uganda remains highly vulnerable because of its close proximity to the outbreak zone and the strong movement of people between the two countries.
Data released Thursday by the National Institute for Public Health in DR Congo indicated that the virus is believed to have caused about 160 deaths from nearly 671 suspected cases.
Uganda’s health authorities announced that all forms of public transport between the two countries, including ferries and cross-border bus services, will be suspended for four weeks. However, transportation of cargo and food supplies will still be permitted.
The government has also temporarily stopped flights to Congo, with the restrictions expected to come into force within 48 hours.
Within Uganda, officials are introducing tighter controls in high-risk border communities, including bans on weekly markets and large public gatherings.
Uganda had earlier recorded two suspected Ebola cases involving Congolese nationals who crossed into the country, including one reported death.
Authorities later confirmed that the suspected Ebola patient tested negative twice, adding that there are currently no active Ebola cases in Uganda.
The World Health Organization has classified the latest outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.
Health experts have also noted that there is currently no approved vaccine or clinical treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus linked to the present outbreak.