The World Health Organisation has called on countries to keep the trade lanes with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) open while at the same time declaring an Ebola virus outbreak in the country a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
“It’s crucial that states do not use the PHEIC as an excuse to impose trade or travel restrictions, which would have a negative impact on the response and on the lives and livelihoods of people in the region,” said Professor Robert Steffen, chair of the emergency committee.
The Committee stressed the need to protect livelihoods of the people most affected by the outbreak by keeping transport routes and borders open.
It is essential to avoid the punitive economic consequences of travel and trade restrictions on affected communities, it said in a statement.
