The two East African countries are facing economic and diplomatic consequences for taking the steps international health authorities expect of them: reporting Ebola infections early and acting to contain the disease. Kenya recorded nine confirmed cases and two deaths after an infection was imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, prompting travel restrictions from several countries, including Saudi Arabia. Uganda, which declared its own Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak over in July after 20 cases and two deaths, has tightened controls along its border with the DRC, including quarantine requirements and restrictions on non-essential movement. The measures are disrupting the movement of people, goods and essential services across a region dependent on cross-border trade. The World Health Organisation has advised against travel and trade restrictions, warning that blanket measures can undermine cooperation and disease control. The wider concern is that penalising countries for transparency could discourage early reporting, weakening the global response to future outbreaks.