Ten African Nations Face Ebola Outbreak Risk

(MENAFN) Ten African countries now face imminent Ebola exposure risk as the Democratic Republic of Congo's outbreak intensifies, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warned Saturday, as global health bodies launched a joint funding appeal exceeding $314 million.

Africa CDC Director Jean Kaseya named Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Zambia as nations "at risk" during a virtual briefing on the continent's Ebola response. All but Ethiopia share a border with DR Congo or Uganda, both of which have confirmed cases.

The Africa CDC and the WHO directed the bulk of the appeal's funding toward Congo and Uganda to support treatment, surveillance, and prevention operations, while the ten high-risk nations would collectively receive $54 million. Priority interventions include national incident management systems, cross-border coordination, vaccine research targeting the Bundibugyo strain, additional response teams, and pre-positioned emergency stocks.

DR Congo has recorded approximately 750 suspected cases and 177 suspected deaths, with at least 82 confirmed cases and seven confirmed fatalities, according to the WHO. Uganda announced three new cases Saturday, bringing its confirmed total to five since the outbreak began.

Congolese authorities have banned public gatherings and suspended sporting activities in Ituri, the outbreak's epicenter. Military Governor Gen. Johnny Luboya also prohibited assemblies of more than 50 people across the Bunia, Rwampara, Mungwalu, and Nyakunde health zones. The WHO has elevated its alert level to "very high," with neighboring nations tightening travel restrictions from DR Congo.

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