Congo's Ebola cases rise to 282, five recover; WHO asks to reconsider travel restrictions

World Health Organisation (WHO) head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has recently announced that five patients recovered from the rare Ebola strain Bundibugyo virus, after a new treatment centre was opened in Congo's Bunia. 

According to the WHO, the new centre in Bunia had 24 beds, which could be expanded to 60 beds if required. Ghebreyesus added that WHO was still working on treatments and vaccines, but despite the lack of any yet for this strain, recovery was still possible. These were among the first documented recoveries in the current outbreak in Congo, and four of them were health workers, according to the WHO.

Meanwhile, Congo said its confirmed cases increased to 282. The confirmed cases also included 42 deaths. Uganda currently has nine cases and one death. Outside of Africa, Brazil is currently monitoring two patients for suspected Ebola infection in its capital, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.

At the same time, the WHO chief has asked countries to reconsider various travel bans and border closures imposed in fear of the outbreak. According to him, these measures make responding to the disease harder and discourage trust and transparency in its evolution. Many countries issued restrictions after the WHO declared Ebola a 'Global Health Emergency'. The Indian government had also issued an advisory and ordered increased surveillance at airports, border areas, and other entry points.