in brief
- Countries including the United States and Canada have started placing travel restrictions on travellers from Ebola-hit areas.
- The outbreak has now surpassed 1,000 cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
As the Ebola outbreak in Africa intensifies, countries globally are beginning to enforce travel restrictions on travelers from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
However, the Australian Department of Health has indicated to SBS News that it does not intend to follow suit, suggesting that other nations’ responses may not be suitable for Australia. There are currently no plans to alter existing health management strategies.
“Australia is keeping a close eye on the developments in the DRC and Uganda and is fully aware of the actions other countries are taking,” stated a department spokesperson.
“Our border control measures are tailored specifically to Australia’s unique circumstances,” the spokesperson added.
In contrast, the United States announced on Wednesday its determination to prevent Ebola cases from entering the country, a stance taken shortly after Canada imposed a 90-day entry ban on residents from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan.
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“We cannot and will not allow any cases of Ebola to enter the United States,” US secretary of state Marco Rubio said.
The US imposed a travel ban on non-citizens from affected regions last week and extended that ban to green card holders on Friday.
Canada is imposing 21-day quarantine measures for citizens and permanent residents returning from affected areas.
The Bahamas, Jordan, and Bahrain have also imposed travel bans, while Thailand, Kenya, the Cayman Islands, and India have launched screening and surveillance procedures.
The European Union’s Health Secretary Committee said last week that screenings were not necessary for passengers from the DRC or Uganda and that the risk to the European population is low.
Ebola an ‘international concern’
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola the third-largest such outbreak on record, and a public health emergency of international concern.
The latest figures from the DRC’s health ministry show 1,077 suspected cases, 121 confirmed cases, 246 suspected deaths, and 17 confirmed deaths.
The Ugandan health ministry has confirmed seven cases and one death. On Wednesday, Uganda ordered a temporary closure of its border with the DRC.
The WHO has discouraged border closures with the DRC, despite acknowledging concerns that the outbreak could spread to neighbouring countries.
The outbreak is currently concentrated along the DRC’s western border.
The disease can only be spread through contact with bodily fluids — it is not thought to travel via airborne particles — but has a significant mortality rate.
The Bundibugyo variant of the disease has no specific treatments or vaccines, but is thought to be less fatal than the Zaire or Sudan strains.
Ebola causes sudden flu-like symptoms before progressing to vomiting and diarrhoea, internal and external bleeding, and multi-organ failure.
Risk to Australia is ‘low’
The Department of Health has said that the disease represents a low risk to Australia.
“Australia has strong border health measures to screen for people who may be symptomatic with very serious communicable diseases like Ebola disease,” the spokesperson said.
“Incoming travellers who have signs or symptoms of Ebola disease are assessed and if required will be referred for appropriate medical care and management.”
No cases of Ebola have ever been detected in Australia. The government has said it is rolling out public health signage at airports about the virus.
Smartraveller already advises against visiting the DRC or South Sudan and recommends a high degree of caution in Uganda.
The government is consulting Australian humanitarian organisations considering deploying to the affected regions to mitigate the risk of viral spread.
The Health Department said it and the Australian Centre for Disease Control would continue to monitor the situation and, should the need arise, work with border agencies to consider additional actions.
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