Congo Suspends Bunia Flights as Ebola Crisis Deepens Across Borders
Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has suspended all passenger flights to and from Bunia as authorities intensify emergency measures to contain a fast-spreading Ebola outbreak that has crossed into neighbouring Uganda.
The Congolese Ministry of Transport announced the restriction on Saturday, warning that increasing human movement could accelerate the spread of the deadly virus across eastern Congo and surrounding countries.
“No aircraft will be allowed to land at or take off from Bunia Airport until further notice,” the ministry stated, while exempting approved humanitarian and emergency medical flights.
Health authorities declared the outbreak in Ituri Province on May 15, with Bunia identified as the epicenter. The disease has since spread into North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, areas already facing insecurity and humanitarian crises.
Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned that the situation in Congo remains “deeply worrisome.”
According to the WHO, 82 confirmed Ebola cases and seven confirmed deaths have been recorded, while nearly 750 suspected infections and 177 suspected deaths remain under investigation.
Uganda’s Ministry of Health also confirmed three new infections on Saturday, raising the country’s total confirmed cases to five.
Regional health experts have called for urgent international support as medical teams battle insecurity, poor infrastructure and public mistrust complicating surveillance and treatment efforts.
About the Author
Hussaini Ibrahim 
Mirian Gom 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 