Closing borders could worsen Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, IOM warns

“Border closures do not stop people from moving,” saidZoe Brennan, IOM’s strategic communications adviser, indicating that restrictions often redirect movement to informal routes, reducing the effectiveness of health screening, surveillance and contact tracing.

The outbreak, which was declared on May 15, has resulted in 321 confirmed cases and 48 deaths in the DRC, while Uganda has recorded nine confirmed cases and one death, according to the World Health Organization.

The IOM said cross-border mobility remains essential for trade, livelihoods and access to services, with monitoring data showing continued movement through formal and informal crossing points despite restrictions.