DRC's neighbours boost preparedness as Ebola cases surge

Countries bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo are bolstering their defenses against Ebola, intensifying screening at border crossings and activating emergency plans. This heightened preparedness comes as the DRC grapples with a significant outbreak that has claimed at least 930 lives among 2,344 recorded cases.

Zambia has reinforced screening measures at entry points, despite having no confirmed cases. Dr. Naeem Dalal of the Zambia National Public Health Institute stated that infection prevention and control measures, including disinfection and mandatory mask-wearing and handwashing, are being implemented nationwide. Provincial emergency response centers are also active to swiftly address any suspected cases.

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Infection prevention and control is currently being activated, where a lot of disinfection will be taking place, and face masks and washing of hands with soap and water will become mandatory.

Uganda, which has a history of containing Ebola, has increased surveillance along its border with the DRC. Dr. Beda Senkware of Kabale Referral Hospital identified three western districts, Kisoro, Kanungu, and Rukungiri, as particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to the DRC. Rwanda has similarly strengthened health screenings and prepared rapid response teams.

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The risk of getting this disease, Ebola, is very high. We have three districts that border the DRC, Kisoro, Kanungu and Rukungiri. These three districts have been put at the highest risk of getting Ebola.

Regional cooperation is a key component of the strategy. The East African Community (EAC) has established a coordinated response plan, working with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization. EAC Secretary General Stephen Mbundi emphasized efforts to enhance surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, and rapid response capabilities across member states.

The intensified preparedness follows a World Health Organization warning that the actual number of cases in the DRC could be substantially higher than reported, with many infections potentially going undetected in conflict-affected eastern regions. The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Gheb, noted this during a virtual news conference.

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We are mobilizing regional mechanisms and working closely with Partner States, Africa CDC, WHO and development partners to strengthen surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, infection prevention and control, risk communication and rapid response capacities.