SOUTH SUDAN: WHO Warns Over Ebola Outbreak Across East Africa
The World Health Organisation, WHO, has sent warning on possible spread of the Ebola virus from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. WHO puts the nine neighbouring countries on high alert and at high-risk of spread of the virus, ranking these countries as Priority One.
The East African reports that WHO also ranks Angola, Congo-Brazzaville, Central African Republic, Tanzania, and Zambia as priority two. Preparedness activities have begun in these countries to ensure that they are able to respond swiftly in the event of an Ebola outbreak.
WHO advises the countries sharing a border with DRC to urgently strengthen their surveillance and alert systems for early detection, timely and effective response to potential cases.
At the end of last year, vaccination of health and front-line workers at priority sites in Uganda began and preparations are underway for similar measures to be undertaken in Rwanda and South Sudan.
In South Sudan, a new multi-purpose infectious diseases unit was opened as part of control and preparedness efforts.
WHO Deputy Director-General for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Peter Salama, says at least 30,000 informal traders and people go back and forth between the Uganda and DR Congo border, which poses a major challenge to the Ebola response.
Red Cross says at least 60,000 people move between Rwanda and Congo daily; more than 24,000 people move across the DR Congo-Burundi border each month. It adds that another 3,000 people move between DRC and South Sudan each month.
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Source: CRN
