The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called for stronger efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa, warning that insecurity and displacement are hampering efforts to reach affected communities.
The warning comes as Kenya confirms its ninth case of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, while the United States advises its citizens to reconsider travel to the country amid growing health concerns.
WHO Regional Director for Africa Dr Mohamed Janabi said the outbreak remained a significant concern in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where infections have been reported across eight provinces.
He said armed conflict was making it difficult for medical teams to access some affected areas, limiting surveillance, treatment and contact tracing.
Although infections have declined in parts of Ituri province, cases have increased in North Kivu, including Beni, highlighting the challenges facing containment efforts.
Janabi called for an end to hostilities to enable health workers to reach vulnerable populations and strengthen measures aimed at preventing further transmission.
He said countries needed to prioritise early detection, interruption of transmission and protection of healthcare workers.
Kenya intensifies surveillance after ninth case
Kenya's latest infection involves a 24-year-old man who is a close family contact of the initial patient. The case was identified while he was in quarantine, according to the latest reports.
Health authorities have intensified screening at points of entry, contact tracing and monitoring of people who may have been exposed to the virus.
Janabi said Kenya had screened approximately 700,000 travellers since the outbreak began, adding that the detection of infections among people already under surveillance was part of the monitoring process.
He cautioned against imposing blanket travel and trade restrictions, arguing that such measures should be guided by scientific evidence and could encourage movement through unofficial border crossings.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has also advised against restrictions on travel to or trade with affected countries based on the information currently available.
Kenya's Ministry of Health has maintained that the country remains open, with no restrictions on travel, trade or public gatherings.
US raises travel advisory as regional concerns grow
The United States, however, has raised its travel advisory for Kenya from Level 2 to Level 3, urging American citizens to reconsider visits. The advisory cites Ebola concerns alongside security and road safety risks.
The outbreak has also prompted renewed regional coordination, with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention calling for health ministers to discuss a coordinated response.
Elsewhere, authorities in Nigeria are investigating a confirmed Ebola case involving a woman who travelled through Uganda after visiting the DRC. Uganda's Health Ministry reported on October 20 that the country had no active Ebola cases.
The developments have increased pressure on regional governments to strengthen disease surveillance, coordinate information sharing and ensure that suspected infections are identified promptly.
WHO has emphasised that access to affected communities remains essential to controlling the outbreak, particularly in areas where conflict continues to disrupt healthcare services.
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