The United States, Mexico and Canada announced a series of travel restrictions on Friday for those coming from parts of Africa affected by the Ebola epidemic, in an effort to protect their citizens and visitors during the World Cup.
"The health and safety of every person remains our top priority, as we welcome everyone to North America," they said in a statement, according to the Athens News Agency, without providing details on the measures.
The World Health Organization said on May 17 that the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is at risk of spreading to neighboring countries. Many governments have taken steps to limit the risk.
Last week, the United States banned entry to non-US citizens who had traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in recent weeks. On Friday, the ban was extended to green card holders who had been to those countries in the previous 21 days.
Starting Wednesday, Canada is also banning entry into the country for 90 days for people living in the three African countries. Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada who have been to those countries in the previous weeks but are not showing symptoms will be quarantined for 21 days, starting March 30.
Mexico is also imposing a 21-day quarantine for those arriving by plane, is taking measures at airports and has asked its citizens not to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
A vaccine for the Budibugio strain of the Ebola virus, responsible for the epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, will be available this year, the head of the African Union health agency (Africa CDC) assured today.
Due to the lack of a vaccine and treatment for this type of virus, the measures implemented are based mainly on compliance with health regulations and rapid detection of cases.
"What we are certain of is that by the end of the year, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will ensure that we have vaccines and treatment for Budibugio," assured its director, Jean Casey, speaking online to reporters.
