Africa CDC says cross-border movement and insecurity are increasing the risk of Ebola spreading across Central and East Africa.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that 10 African countries face a high risk of Ebola transmission as the outbreak in Central and East Africa continues to spread.
Director-General of Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, raised the alarm on Saturday while addressing concerns over the expanding outbreak linked to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
Kaseya said Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia remain vulnerable because of increasing cross-border movement and persistent insecurity in the region.
According to him, population mobility and weak security conditions are making it harder for health authorities to contain the virus and monitor transmission routes effectively.
The warning followed the decision of the World Health Organization to classify the Ebola outbreak as an international public health emergency.
Health authorities say the outbreak, centred in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, has recorded hundreds of suspected infections and more than 170 suspected deaths.
Africa CDC earlier declared the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of Continental Security,” warning that fragile health systems, insecurity and porous borders could accelerate regional spread.
Ebola is a highly infectious viral disease transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. The disease can trigger severe bleeding, organ failure and death if health officials fail to contain outbreaks quickly.
About The Author
