By Ginika Igboke
Travel restrictions imposed by the U.S. government over concerns that Ebola could spread into the United States are unnecessary and may be counterproductive, African health officials said on May 19.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said travel bans and border closures are not effective responses to disease outbreaks and urged countries to avoid implementing such measures.
“The world must avoid repeating the mistakes of previous health emergencies, where fear-driven measures caused major economic damage without delivering proportionate public health benefits,” the agency said.
Africa CDC emphasized the need for global cooperation rather than isolation, stating that Africa requires solidarity, investment, and partnerships that strengthen both healthcare systems and economies. The organization added that global health security depends on strengthening Africa’s ability to respond to outbreaks.
Speaking at an unrelated event on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he remained concerned about Ebola.
During the same event, Heidi Overton, deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, said there are currently no Ebola cases in the United States.
“We want to keep it that way, and we are doing everything we can to support Americans in the region,” she said.
According to Africa CDC, 395 suspected and confirmed Ebola cases, along with 106 suspected and confirmed deaths, have been reported in Congo and Uganda.
The agency said global health authorities should focus on strengthening risk communication, improving disease surveillance and infection prevention efforts, accelerating vaccine development, and expanding laboratory testing for the Bundibugyo virus.
African health officials identified the Bundibugyo strain as the source of the current outbreak. There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment available for the virus.
According to the World Health Organization, fatality rates in previous outbreaks linked to the Bundibugyo virus have ranged from 30 percent to 50 percent.
Addressing the 79th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that despite the absence of a vaccine, countries still have effective tools available to contain the spread of the virus.
He highlighted measures such as risk communication and community engagement as key strategies for slowing transmission and saving lives even without medical countermeasures.
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