Amid deadly Ebola outbreaks in Congo and Uganda, Canada is not barring travelers
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While Canada is monitoring Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, health authorities say they are not enforcing a travel ban or screening travelers.
The outbreak, first confirmed on Friday, has killed at least 134 people in the DRC, according to Congolese health authorities. That’s on top of more than 500 suspected and 33 confirmed cases in the DRC, as well as two confirmed cases in neighboring Uganda.
In an email to CBC News on Tuesday, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said it follows guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) when it comes to restrictive measures.
“Although there are currently no travel-related health measures specific to the Ebola outbreak within Canada’s borders, PHAC will continue to work with domestic and international partners to monitor and evaluate emerging evidence to inform the timely implementation of public health interventions and to update travel health advisories as appropriate,” read part of PHAC’s statement.
Meanwhile, the United States did he said it will increase the test for people arriving from affected regions and prevent people with non-US passports from entering the country if they have been in Uganda, DRC or South Sudan in the past 21 days.
The WHO says the outbreak is a global problem
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed great concern about the spread of the disease.
He declared the outbreak of this rare virus in Bundibugyo as a public health emergency of international concern on Saturday, the first time a WHO official has done so before convening an emergency committee.
This outbreak has alarmed experts because it managed to spread for weeks without being detected in a densely populated area that has been devastated by armed violence.
Ebola is highly contagious and can be acquired through bodily fluids such as vomit, blood or semen. The disease it causes is rare but severe and often fatal. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Travelers should watch for signs: PHAC
PHAC said travelers who feel ill or have symptoms of Ebola while flying or arriving in Canada, should notify their flight attendant before boarding.
Canada Border Services Agency officials “screen international travelers arriving in Canada and refer anyone suspected of having a communicable disease of concern to PHAC Quarantine Officers, who have the authority to take public health measures under the Quarantine Act,” PHAC said.
On May 15, PHAC told those going to the DRC to implement “enhanced health precautions,” including using protective equipment and delaying travel until the risk is minimal.
Meanwhile, he said to those who went to Uganda, they should look at their rash warningwhich states that people should follow certain guidelines, including avoiding people who may have symptoms.
More to come
