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WHO urges lifting travel bans amid Ebola concerns
3 Jun
Summary
- WHO requests countries lift travel restrictions, favoring exit screening.
- Ebola cases in DRC are fewer than initially feared.
- WHO reports 344 confirmed cases and 60 deaths in DRC as of June 1.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for an end to international travel restrictions related to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General, urged nations to lift blanket travel bans, suggesting instead that exit screening at transportation hubs would be more effective in preventing the spread of the virus.
Providing some positive news, the WHO reported that the number of Ebola cases in the DRC has been lower than initially feared. Enhanced testing has revealed that fewer suspected cases are indeed infected with the specific strain of the virus. As of June 1, the DRC had recorded 344 confirmed cases and 60 deaths, with an additional 116 suspected cases. Uganda has also reported 15 confirmed cases and one death.
Earlier figures from May 29 indicated a higher number of suspected cases and deaths in the DRC. The WHO continues to test samples from individuals who died from suspected Ebola. Dr. Tedros also expressed appreciation for the collaboration and financial support from the United States, while refraining from criticizing a U.S. quarantine plan that is currently suspended by a Kenyan court.
