The African CDC highlighted other complications of this outbreak involving the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara; intensive movement of people in the area, including mobility related to mining; militia clashes in the area; and gaps in contact tracing. The agency noted the potential spread not only to Uganda, but also to South Sudan.
Africa CDC Director General Dr. “Given the high population movements between the affected areas and neighboring countries, rapid regional coordination is essential,” Jean Kaseya said in a statement on Friday. “We are working with the DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response and help contain the outbreak as quickly as possible.”
At a press briefing Friday afternoon, Jay Bhattacharya, who now heads the US CDC, said the agency, which has offices in both the DRC and Uganda, is offering technical assistance to the countries. “It is a major outbreak and we were informed about it yesterday. So we have worked very, very hard to coordinate with them,” Bhattacharya said.
In A separate press briefing earlier todayDirector-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the WHO received an alert about suspected Ebola cases in the DRC and sent a team to support the health ministry on May 5. WHO representatives are still helping with the outbreak response.
Tedros also released $500,000 from the WHO Emergency Contingency Fund today to immediately support WHO’s response efforts, Tedros said.
