DR Congo neighbors boost preparedness as Ebola cases surge

What the report says

DW reports that countries bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo are increasing Ebola preparedness as the DRC faces a widening outbreak. Border screening, disease surveillance, frontline health worker training and emergency plans have been strengthened in neighboring states including Uganda, Rwanda and Zambia. According to DW, the DRC Health Ministry said Monday that at least 930 people have died, while 2,344 cases of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus disease have been recorded since the government declared the outbreak on May 15.

Zambia has reported no confirmed cases, but Dr. Naeem Dalal of the Zambia National Public Health Institute told DW that prevention measures were being expanded nationwide, including infection-control steps and activation of provincial emergency response centers. Uganda has raised surveillance along its DRC border, with health officials identifying Kisoro, Kanungu and Rukungiri districts as especially exposed. Rwanda has also increased screening at crossings, broadened surveillance and readied rapid response teams.

The East African Community says it is coordinating with partner states, Africa CDC, the World Health Organization and development partners to improve surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention, public communication and rapid response. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak may be far larger than confirmed figures suggest, calling it the third-largest Ebola outbreak recorded and appealing for donors to help close a response funding gap of more than $400 million.

DW notes that the outbreak is concentrated in eastern DRC, where conflict, displacement, rumors and insecurity are hampering case detection, contact tracing and treatment. Health officials and experts cited by DW said early detection and regional cooperation are critical, especially because there is no known vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain.