The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has urged Saudi Arabia to lift travel restrictions imposed on Kenya following the outbreak of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease.
In a statement on Sunday, November 8, the continental health agency called on Riyadh to reconsider its decision, arguing that Kenya had made significant progress in containing the outbreak.
Africa CDC warned that imposing travel restrictions on countries that openly report disease outbreaks could discourage transparency and undermine international efforts to control infectious diseases.
“Isolate the virus, not countries,” the agency stated in a message shared on its official social media platforms.
The appeal comes days after Saudi Arabia announced a suspension of travel by its citizens to Kenya and stopped issuing visas to travellers arriving from the country.
The restrictions, announced on October 30, also barred entry to travellers who had stayed in Kenya or another Ebola-affected country within the preceding 21 days, including those transiting through third countries.
Saudi Arabia said the measures were precautionary and based on assessments by its health authorities.
However, Africa CDC has maintained that such measures should be guided by scientific evidence and the actual risk of transmission rather than the mere presence of imported cases.
Dr Wessam Mankoula, Director of the Centre of Public Health Emergency and leader of the continental Ebola response team, called for international cooperation in managing public health emergencies.
“We must stand together, supporting transparency, not punishing it,” Mankoula said.
The agency’s intervention comes as Kenya continues to record progress in its efforts to contain the outbreak, which was first confirmed on October 6, 2026.
Kenya has recorded nine confirmed cases, including two deaths, with all infections linked to a single chain of transmission originating from an imported case.
According to the Ministry of Health, the country had gone 18 consecutive days without recording a new infection as of November 7. Six patients had recovered, while one remained under medical care.
The government has also intensified contact tracing, surveillance and monitoring of people who may have been exposed to the virus.
Africa CDC Director General Dr Jean Kaseya said countries should not be punished for detecting and reporting infectious diseases early.
“Africa needs partnership, not punishment; solidarity, not stigma,” Kaseya said in an earlier statement.
The World Health Organisation has also advised against imposing travel or trade restrictions on countries responding to the current Ebola outbreak, instead recommending surveillance, screening and cross-border cooperation.
The travel restrictions have raised concerns over their potential impact on Kenyan workers, business travellers, students, religious pilgrims and trade between the two countries.
Africa CDC has urged Saudi Arabia to engage with Kenya, the World Health Organisation and other health partners to review the measures and adopt approaches supported by scientific evidence.
Saudi Arabia had not announced a reversal of the restrictions by the time of publication.
