ADDIS ABABA, July 22 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called for an "urgent review" of the United States' Ebola-related entry restrictions on Uganda, emphasizing the critical need for "proportionate, evidence-based and country-specific" public health measures.
The Africa CDC said in a statement issued Tuesday that its director-general, Jean Kaseya, has formally called on the U.S. government "to urgently review and remove" Uganda from the temporary Ebola-related entry suspension, emphasizing that the East African country's progress deserves recognition.
The agency stressed that Uganda has demonstrated the capacity to detect, report, and respond rapidly, providing a strong basis for a differentiated and country-specific assessment.
The African Union's specialized continental public health agency noted that Uganda's epidemiological situation has "improved significantly," with no new confirmed Ebola cases since June 21. The country has discharged its last patient and entered the 42-day countdown toward declaring the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak over.
It highlighted that all 836 identified contacts have completed follow-up monitoring, and surveillance remains active across 36 high-risk districts and 38 points of entry, while laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, case management, risk communication, and community surveillance remain fully operational.
"These results reflect decisive national leadership, the courage and commitment of Uganda's health workers and communities, and strong cooperation between Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Africa CDC, and our partners," the statement read.
Emphasizing that public health measures must follow evidence, it said countries that detect outbreaks early, report transparently, and act decisively deserve recognition and support.
It underscored that risk-based departure and arrival screening, traveler health declarations, exposure-based monitoring, and the rapid referral of symptomatic travelers can provide effective public health protection.
The agency, however, noted that continued transmission in parts of the DRC requires sustained vigilance. ■
