PAHO steps up preparedness across Caribbean amid Ebola outbreak in Africa

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is intensifying its support to countries throughout the Americas, with a specific focus on the Caribbean, to bolster their readiness for Ebola. This proactive measure follows the World Health Organization's declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern due to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

Despite the current low risk of Ebola in the Americas and the absence of any reported cases in the region, PAHO has activated its Incident Management System. This system is crucial for coordinating regional preparedness efforts and ensuring a swift response should any potential imported cases arise.

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Countries in the Americas are not currently affected by Ebola, and the risk to the region remains low, but preparedness is our strongest tool to reduce risks and ensure a timely response.

PAHO is collaborating closely with national ministries of health. Their joint efforts aim to reinforce critical areas such as surveillance systems, laboratory diagnostic capabilities, infection prevention and control protocols, and operational coordination. The goal is to equip countries to rapidly detect, isolate, and care for individuals suspected of having the infection.

"Countries in the Americas are not currently affected by Ebola, and the risk to the region remains low, but preparedness is our strongest tool to reduce risks and ensure a timely response," stated Dr. Ciro Ugarte, Director of Health Emergencies at PAHO. He emphasized the importance of readiness for quick detection and response to prevent further transmission and protect both health workers and communities, even with a low risk of importation.

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Even with low risk, countries must be ready to detect and respond quickly to any possible importation to protect health workers and communities, and to prevent further transmission.