Bahrain Bans Travelers from DRC, Two Other Nations to Prevent Ebola Spread

(Manama/Geneva, 19th, Comprehensive Foreign Report) The Gulf state of Bahrain announced today a one-month entry ban for travelers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda. These three African countries are at the center of the latest Ebola outbreak. According to AFP, Bahraini authorities stated that the ban will be in effect for 30 days but does not apply to Bahraini citizens. Bahrain's Civil Aviation Affairs issued a statement saying, "Effective immediately, all non-Bahraini passengers arriving from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Uganda will be temporarily denied entry, regardless of the airline." The statement also mentioned that travelers who have visited these three countries within 30 days prior to their arrival in Bahrain are also barred from entry. The World Health Organization (WHO) will convene an emergency committee meeting today to discuss the deadly Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced last night that the Ebola virus outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda now constitute a "public health emergency of continental security." The DRC has recorded 131 deaths and 513 suspected cases, while neighboring Uganda has reported one death.