DIRECTOR-GENERAL of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) Jean Kaseya has warned that the lack of licensed vaccine to the Bundibugyo Ebola strain and intense cross-border movement threaten regional spread of Ebola, as the number of suspected cases topped 1,130. In a recent interview with Xinhua, the Africa CDC chief said the lack of licensed vaccine and medicines to the Bundibugyo Ebola virus makes the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda “particularly concerning”.
“At the same time, intense cross-border movement between the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan creates conditions for regional spread if response efforts are not sustained and adequately funded,” Kaseya told Xinhua, as he emphasized the vital need for adequate resources and robust regional coordination. Data from the African Union’s specialized healthcare agency showed that, as of Friday, some 1,139 suspected cases, including 212 laboratory confirmed cases, were reported across the DRC, since the country declared its 17th Ebola outbreak on 15 May.
Confirmed cases have also been recorded in Uganda. In addition to the two affected countries, 11 other countries across the continent are now at high risk of being affected, namely South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia, the Central African Republic, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Somalia. “The outbreak is also placing significant pressure on frontline health workers. Nineteen health workers have been infected and six have died. Protecting health workers remains a top priority,” Kaseya said.
Noting that the Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) are co-leading the response, working closely with national governments and operational partners across the region, he stressed that “response is active and producing results.” Meanwhile, the Africa CDC chief highlighted “encouraging signs”, citing that a confirmed patient was recently discharged after recovery, “demonstrating that early detection, quality clinical care and coordinated response efforts save lives.”
Xinhua
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