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US Funds Surge to Combat Congo-Uganda Ebola Outbreak
18 Jun
Summary
- CDC releases $107 million for Ebola response efforts.
- Outbreak reaches 875 cases with 202 deaths.
- US teams support surveillance, labs, and preparedness.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday that it is releasing $107 million in emergency funding. This funding is dedicated to enhancing the domestic and international response to the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. As of Thursday, the CDC has deployed over 125 staff members across both nations to support critical operations.
The current outbreak of the rare Bundibugyo strain has confirmed 875 cases, resulting in 202 deaths. This situation has raised concerns about it potentially becoming the most severe Ebola outbreak on record, surpassing the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic. The CDC teams are actively engaged in various support activities.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, U.S. CDC staff are assisting with improving community trust in surveillance, isolation protocols, and safe burial practices. They are also conducting assessments at entry points and providing technical aid to laboratories for diagnostic testing. Furthermore, CDC is collaborating with the DRC government to bolster preparedness in western provinces, aiming to prevent further spread.
In Uganda, CDC teams are contributing to border health security, including assessments for airport screening. The agency's significant financial and personnel investment underscores the seriousness of the escalating Ebola threat in the region.
