Home / Health / Canada Bars Congo Travelers Amid Ebola Fears
Canada Bars Congo Travelers Amid Ebola Fears
19 Jul
Summary
- Canada denies entry to foreigners who visited Congo recently.
- New measures aim to reduce Ebola spread risks to Canadians.
- Ban contradicts WHO advice against travel restrictions.
Effective Monday, July 20, at 11:59 p.m., Canada will deny entry to foreign nationals who have recently visited Congo. This temporary measure is intended to safeguard Canadian public health by limiting potential exposure to Ebola.
The World Health Organization, however, has expressed concerns, advising against travel and trade restrictions with Congo, the site of a significant Ebola outbreak. The WHO noted that such measures can create stigma and complicate efforts to control epidemics, emphasizing that the spread of the disease is not determined by nationality or ethnicity.
As of July 15, Congo reported over 2,100 Ebola cases, resulting in 828 deaths. WHO estimates the international spread risk from this outbreak to be low. The United States also recently introduced similar measures for travelers returning from Congo.
