Africa CDC calls for lifting Ebola travel restrictions
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Maroc Diplomatique
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is calling on states to remove Ebola-related travel restrictions that are not based on scientific evidence. The agency says countries that quickly report cases and control transmission should be supported, in line with the International Health Regulations, according to its statement cited by MAP.
Africa CDC has called for the lifting of “unjustified” travel restrictions linked to the Ebola outbreak, saying public health measures should be based on scientific evidence, proportionality and transparency, in line with the International Health Regulations. The African health agency made the statement in a release published on its website, according to Maroc Diplomatique citing MAP.
Africa CDC says detecting an imported Ebola case does not, on its own, indicate a failure of the national health security system. It stresses that early detection, transparent case reporting and effective containment instead demonstrate investment in preparedness and epidemiological surveillance.
The agency calls for countries that transparently report outbreaks and respond effectively to them to be supported rather than penalised. It advocates strengthening preparedness, assisting affected states and interrupting virus transmission wherever it occurs, according to MAP.
The call comes after a meeting of African health ministers devoted to Ebola, held by Africa CDC on 25 October, followed by several alerts about the spread of the outbreak published on 29 and 30 October. On 7 November, Sierra Leone also strengthened its prevention measures for mpox and Ebola.
