US screens travellers from Ebola-hit African countries

The United States has announced new precautions to prevent the spread of Ebola, including screening air travellers from outbreak-hit areas and temporarily suspending visa services from the region.

The measures come after the World Health Organisation declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo an international health emergency. More than 90 suspected deaths have been reported.

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said the immediate risk to the US public is low but that it would continue to evaluate the situation.

The CDC is implementing entry restrictions on non-US passport holders who have travelled to Uganda, DRC or South Sudan within the past 21 days. The US embassy in Kampala has paused all visa services.

There is no vaccine or specific treatment for the strain responsible for the current outbreak.

Congolese Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said Sunday that 91 suspected deaths and about 350 suspected cases have been reported. Most of those affected are aged 20 to 39, and more than 60% are women.

The US, under President Donald Trump, formally withdrew from the WHO this year. CDC officials said they are collaborating with international partners and health officials in affected countries.

SOURCE: AFP