Home / Health / Uganda Shuts Congo Border Amid Ebola Surge
Uganda Shuts Congo Border Amid Ebola Surge
27 May
Summary
- Uganda closed its border with Congo on May 27, 2026.
- Seven Ebola cases reported in Uganda, with one death.
- Congo's suspected Ebola cases near 1,000 with 220 deaths.
Ugandan authorities ordered the immediate closure of its border with Congo on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. This decisive action was taken in response to a significant rise in cases of a rare Ebola strain in the neighboring country and the emergence of cases within Uganda.
The closure was mandated by a local Ebola task force, co-chaired by Vice President Jesca Alupo. This move came after an increase in Ugandan health workers exposed to Ebola, stemming from Congolese patients who had already crossed the border prior to the outbreak's official declaration on May 15.
Uganda has officially recorded seven Ebola cases, including the death of a 59-year-old man in the capital, Kampala, on May 14, 2026. While Uganda's case load is not rapidly escalating, there is growing concern over the rising number of local health workers exposed to the virus, who in turn have families.
Meanwhile, eastern Congo is experiencing a severe Ebola outbreak, with nearly 1,000 suspected cases and an alarming toll of at least 220 suspected deaths. The World Health Organization has indicated that the epidemic is outpacing containment efforts.
