The borders were closed on the morning of May 18, 2026, one day after the closure of the Petite Barrière and Grande Barrière crossings linking Rubavu District with Goma, which were also shut down due to Ebola concerns.
By morning hours, travelers arriving at Rusizi I and Rusizi II were turned back in both directions, with movement across the borders suspended.
The Mayor of Rusizi District, Phanuel Sindayiheba, said the decision was taken to help prevent the spread of Ebola, which has been reported in parts of the DRC.
He noted that certain categories of travelers, including students, humanitarian workers, transporters of essential goods, and returning residents, will still be assisted to cross under controlled conditions.
Ebola is a highly contagious viral disease transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids such as blood, sweat, saliva, urine, vomit, and other secretions.
The virus can also spread through contact with contaminated clothing, bedding, or medical equipment that has not been properly disinfected.
Health authorities have urged the public to avoid direct contact with suspected Ebola patients unless wearing proper protective equipment.
Sindayiheba also called on residents to continue observing preventive measures, including frequent handwashing with clean water and soap, avoiding handshakes, limiting unnecessary travel especially to affected areas, and seeking medical attention immediately if symptoms such as high fever, joint pain, or bleeding occur.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that no cases of Ebola have been detected in Rwanda so far, despite an ongoing outbreak in the DRC that has already claimed 88 lives.
The Ebola strain identified in the current outbreak, known as Bundibugyo virus, was first discovered in Uganda in 2007–2008, where it infected 149 people and caused 37 deaths.
It later re-emerged in 2012 in the DRC’s Isiro region, infecting 57 people and killing 29
Leave a Reply