WHO calls for travel restrictions on Ebola-affected countries to be lifted, days after Canada’s comes in effect

The federal health minster also suggested the government was not backing down, saying the measures will help protect the health of people in Canada, “and the strength and stability of Canada’s health-care system.”

An outbreak of Bundibugyo virus, a rare type of Ebola that has no licensed vaccine or treatment, has meanwhile ballooned in the DRC, and spread to neighbouring Uganda.

Canada, the United States and Mexico last week announced aligned public health measures, acknowledging the risk of Ebola in their own countries remains low, and that these steps are out of an abundance of caution.

As part of the measures, the government is pausing immigration and travel applications for people from Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan for 90 days, though that could be extended or lifted based on how the outbreak evolves.

WHO has warned that closing borders or restricting travel and trade are usually implemented out of fear and “have no basis in science.”

“Blanket travel restrictions imposed by some countries are disrupting supply chains and hindering the response,” WHO’s director-general said at a media briefing in Geneva Wednesday.

“We ask countries that have imposed blanket travel restrictions to lift them.”

This week, WHO scaled back its suspected case count to 116 from more than 1,000, as they work through the backlog and rule out people who had other diseases.

There have been more than 340 confirmed cases in the DRC, including 60 deaths.

Uganda has 15 confirmed cases including one death, its health ministry said Tuesday.

— With files from Nicole Ireland

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2026.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.

Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

WHO calls for travel restrictions on Ebola-affected countries to be lifted, days after Canada’s comes in effect

What's Trending