Africa CDC welcomes France’s commitment against Ebola travel bans
- Health
Africa CDC Director General Jean Kaseya has praised France’s pledge to avoid imposing travel restrictions following confirmation of an imported case of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus strain in the country.
Kaseya described discussions with French Health Minister Stéphanie Rist as “constructive,” emphasizing that France had explicitly committed to maintaining open travel corridors in response to the isolated case.
First imported Ebola case detected in France
The infected individual, a Congolese humanitarian doctor who had been working on Ebola response efforts in Ituri under the ALIMA NGO, tested positive after arriving in France—where he normally resides—according to a statement from the French Embassy in Kinshasa dated 25 June. This marks the first confirmed case of the disease in France.
Continued collaboration against epidemic spread
Kaseya confirmed that Africa CDC, the World Health Organization, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, French authorities, and Congolese counterparts remain fully mobilized to contain the outbreak. “Our collective priority is protecting communities while advancing a cohesive cross-border response,” he stated.
The health official reiterated that no travel curbs are warranted for this isolated event, as standard containment protocols and contact tracing measures are sufficient to prevent further transmission. The affected individual is currently receiving medical care in France.