WHO urges countries to reconsider travel restrictions amid Ebola outbreak (Image credit: AP)

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called on countries to reconsider travel restrictions and border closures imposed in response. Ebola outbreak In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda.Speaking on Saturday in Bunia, the epicenter of the epidemic in eastern Congo, Tedros said travel restrictions could undermine trust and transparency, which are essential for an effective public health response.The WHO chief’s visit to Bernia comes as health officials continue efforts to trace contacts, strengthen surveillance and contain the outbreak in eastern Congo.Warned that the ban could cause harmresponse to“I call on countries that have imposed travel bans or border closures to reconsider. These measures make the response difficult, and they discourage transparency and trust that saves lives,” Tedros said.He stressed that cooperation between communities, health authorities and neighboring countries is vital to prevent further spread of the virus.Cases and deaths Toll continues to riseWHO said Friday that authorities have reported 906 suspected Ebola cases and 223 suspected deaths in the DRC.Meanwhile, neighboring Uganda has confirmed nine cases and one death, according to the country’s health ministry.Health officials say the outbreak is being caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.WHO expressed confidence in the companyNGO responseAddressing reporters after meeting with Congolese Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka on Friday, Tedros expressed confidence in the country’s ability to bring the outbreak under control.Tedros said, “This is a difficult situation, and we recognize that. But the Democratic Republic of Congo has faced the Ebola virus many times before. We are confident that it can once again bring this outbreak under control.”