Nairobi, Kenya — In a collaborative effort to curb the escalating Ebola crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have launched a $518 million plan.
The initiative, which is set to span from June to November, is targeted at the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda, where the outbreak has intensified.
The strategic plan, announced by WHO Director — General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, encompasses emergency coordination, surveillance, testing, infection prevention, clinical care, and community engagement. It is a proactive response to the Ebola outbreak, which was declared in the DRC on May 15 and has since infected at least 381 people, resulting in 64 deaths.
The situation has grown more dire in Uganda, where the total number of cases has reached 19, with two fatalities.
The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain of the virus, which has been spreading discreetly for some time. Addressing the media, Tedros expressed optimism that the WHO-Africa CDC plan would bring the outbreak under control. He emphasized the importance of political commitment, sustained financing, and community trust in the fight against the virus.
As the outbreak continues to spread, the joint plan is a significant financial commitment aimed at supporting African countries in their efforts to prepare for, rapidly detect, and respond to the outbreak.
The initiative is part of a broader ‘One Response’approach, bringing together governments, partners, and communities to enhance disease surveillance, case management, laboratory testing, and cross-border preparedness efforts.
The success of this plan hinges on the collective commitment of governments, partners, and communities to work together in a coordinated effort to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: aljazeera
Source: AFP and Reuters
