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WHO, Africa CDC launch $518 million plan to combat Ebola outbreak
🇯🇲 Jamaica /Health & Science

WHO, Africa CDC launch $518 million plan to combat Ebola outbreak

From Jamaica Observer · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • The WHO and Africa CDC launched a $518 million plan to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries.
  • The plan will run from June to November and focuses on coordination, surveillance, testing, and community engagement.
  • The current outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, with 381 confirmed cases and 64 deaths reported in the DRC.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have jointly launched a $518 million plan to combat the escalating Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its neighbors. The initiative aims to control the spread of the virus, which has caused alarm across the region.

The plan focuses on core areas: emergency coordination, surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, and community engagement.

— WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusSpeaking at a press conference about the joint plan to combat the Ebola outbreak.

The comprehensive plan is set to be implemented from June to November. It prioritizes several core areas crucial for outbreak response: emergency coordination, robust surveillance systems, efficient laboratory testing, stringent infection prevention and control measures, effective clinical care, and active community engagement. This multi-faceted approach is designed to contain the current outbreak and mitigate the risk of further transmission.

The outbreak, declared on May 15 in northeastern DRC, is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. Health officials believe it may have been spreading undetected for some time prior. According to the latest WHO figures, the DRC has recorded 381 confirmed cases, resulting in 64 deaths. The outbreak has affected three provinces, with the Ituri province being the epicenter, accounting for 90% of confirmed cases and 76% of fatalities.

This is a practical plan. It sets out what we need to do now, together, to contain the current outbreak and reduce the risk of further spread.

— WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusDescribing the newly launched plan to tackle the Ebola outbreak.

Neighboring Uganda has also reported cases, with 16 confirmed infections and one death. WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the plan as "practical" and "time-bound," emphasizing the collaborative effort needed to address the crisis. This current outbreak is noted as being larger than previous Bundibugyo strain outbreaks in 2007 and 2012, and there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments specifically for this strain.

It’s a time-bound plan, covering June to November this year. It’s a costed plan, at US$518 million.

— WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusDetailing the duration and budget of the Ebola response plan.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jamaica Observer in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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