Ebola outbreak: Canada implements temporary border controls.

The Canadian government announced on May 26th a series of temporary measures aimed at reducing the risk of Ebola virus entry and spread.

The move comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warn that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda continues to worsen, with the potential to spread to other countries in the region.

According to an announcement by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the country will temporarily suspend processing some immigration documents for citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan for 90 days, starting at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 27 (approximately 10:59 AM on May 28 in Vietnam).

Citizens of the three aforementioned countries, even those who previously held temporary visas, e- travel permits, or permanent residency visas, will not be permitted to enter Canada while these measures are in effect. Additionally, the announcement states that Canada is also temporarily suspending the processing of new immigration applications from citizens of these countries.

Another measure is mandatory quarantine. Accordingly, the Canadian government requires a 21-day quarantine for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, registered Indigenous Canadians, and foreign nationals who have visited the affected area within 21 days prior to entry but are asymptomatic.

Meanwhile, those with symptoms will be isolated in a hospital for continued monitoring and assessment in accordance with Canada's Quarantine Act.

The Canadian government emphasizes that the risk to its citizens remains low and that no cases of Ebola have been reported in North America. However, the government believes a preventative approach is necessary due to the severity of the outbreak and international developments, including factors related to the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

In a related development, the WHO said a patient confirmed to have contracted the Ebola virus in the city of Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is recovering "very well."

During her visit to the city, the WHO representative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Anne Ancia, confirmed that the patient was being treated at a local health facility, while close contacts were being monitored regularly.

Ms. Ancia affirmed that the response is focusing on strengthening epidemiological surveillance, contact tracing, case management, and mobilizing community participation.

According to the WHO, since the Democratic Republic of Congo declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on May 15, health authorities have recorded more than 900 suspected cases and over 220 deaths.

(VNA/Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/dich-ebola-canada-ap-dung-cac-bien-phap-kiem-soat-bien-gioi-tam-thoi-post1112856.vnp