Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention deploys epidemiologists to respond to the Ebola epidemic
Urges long term action to build resilient health systems locally and national public health systems to pick up events rapidly
Kinshasa/ Bandaka/Bikoro, 20 May 2018-
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has recruited 25 epidemiologists to support the team working at the epicentre of the Ebola affected districts in Bandaka and Bikoro in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Following the announcement
on 8 May 2018 of the Ebola outbreak by the authorities, the Africa CDC deployed an assessment mission within 48 hours. The Africa CDC’s Emergency Operational Centre was activated within hours to link, scan and monitor the situation.
“The nascent Africa CDC is improving its response capacity and has responded to 9 outbreaks
over one year and in the case of the current Ebola outbreak much more swiftly. Africa needs to bring its existing public health assets together in order to work seamlessly and respond swiftly. To address the global health security agenda in Africa we need
long term action to build resilient health systems locally and national public health systems to pick up events rapidly” said Dr. John Nkengasong, the Director of the Africa CDC.
The Africa CDC team which is now embedded in the national response team assisted the Government
and partners to finalise the laboratory response strategy that is now under implementation. The Africa CDC is also supporting with the development of strategies for surveillance and contact tracing and the establishment of three health cordon zones to contain
the virus. The Africa CDC will provide up to USD 2 Million to support Africa CDC interventions.
Due to the remote nature of the Equateur Province, it is expected that more efforts will need
to be put in supply chain issues to ensure that essential items needed are delivered swiftly. Last week the African Union Peace and Security Council was briefed on the situation and will continue to receive reports. Under Article 6(f) relating to its mandate
with regard to humanitarian action and disaster management the Council can authorise deployment of military and civilian missions and assets to tackle emergency situations as it did in August 2014 in the Ebola outbreak in the West Africa sub-region.
This outbreak is the 9th outbreak of the Ebola virus disease over the last 4 decades
in the country. The affected health area of Bikoro covers 1 075 km and has a population of 163 065 inhabitants. This huge population is supported by only 3 hospitals and 19 health centres, most of which have limited functionality.
The DRC government is working with partners to improve coordination mechanisms, enhance surveillance,
laboratory confirmation, contact identification and follow-up, case management, infection prevention and control, safe and dignified burials, social mobilisation and community engagement, logistics, risk communication, vaccination, partner engagement, research
and resource mobilisation.
The risk is high at national level and moderate in the region due in part to the proximity
of the epidemic focus to the Congo River, the existence of a border with the Republic of Congo and the river which links with the capitals of the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic.
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About the Africa CDC
The Africa CDC supports all African countries to improve surveillance, emergency response,
and prevention of infectious diseases. This includes addressing outbreaks, man-made and natural disasters, and public health events of regional and international concern. It further seeks to build the capacity to reduce disease burden on the continent.
For further information contact
Mr. Tawanda Chisango I AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) Program Advocacy & Partnership Expert | Social Affairs | African Union Commission I E-mail:
chisangot@africa-union.org
| Web www.au.int I
www.aidswatchafrica.net
Addis Ababa | Ethiopia