Sierra Leone is stepping up border patrols and limiting cross-border movements with Guinea and Liberia, the other two countries that are hardest-hit by the West African Ebola Epidemic.  Even though medical groups have said that border lockdowns don’t work, there were concerns that people were bringing back more Ebola infections from visits to the other two countries.

Sierra Leone’s Kailahun district area near the Liberia border had seen a decrease in new Ebola infections, “but because of the cross border activities, we realized that of late there has been a resurgence of cases,” said army spokesman Colonel Michael Samura.  “So that is why we think if we restrict movement and intensify security patrols, it will help a lot.”

Medecins sans Frontieres has already cautioned nations with Ebola that border closures only prevent aid and personnel from getting to infected areas.  Now the International Crisis Group (ICG), an NGO that monitors trouble spots and offers risk assessments, is warning of soaring food prices and possible shortages.

“Despite rhetoric to the contrary, West African governments have tried to manage these crises unilaterally, ignoring – as demonstrated once again by the rapid spread of Ebola – that their citizenries are deeply linked and interdependent,” the ICG statement said.

With more than 2,800 people dead in the epidemic, strains are being put on health systems and entire nations that could undo years of efforts to stabilize the region.  Both Liberia and Sierra Leone are recovering from brutal civil wars and Guinea has faced coups and ethnic unrest.  “Past civil conflicts fuelled by local and regional antagonisms could resurface”, the ICG said.