Kampala: Countries bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have enhanced screening at border crossings, trained health workers, and activated emergency plans to mitigate the risk of Ebola cases spreading from the DRC, which is currently battling an escalating outbreak of the disease.
According to Deutsche Welle, the DRC's Health Ministry reported that at least 930 people have succumbed to the virus, with 2,344 cases of Bundibugyo recorded since the government declared the outbreak on May 15. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the actual number of cases could be up to four times higher than reported.
Zambia has intensified screening at entry points despite having no confirmed Ebola cases. Dr. Naeem Dalal from the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI) stated that nationwide prevention measures have been reinforced, including mandatory disinfection, use of face masks, and handwashing protocols. Provincial public health emergency response centers have been activated to ensure a swift response to any suspected cases.
In Uganda, heightened surveillance is underway along its DRC border. Dr. Beda Senkware of Kabale Referral Hospital highlighted that three western districts-Kisoro, Kanungu, and Rukungiri-are particularly vulnerable. Rwanda has also bolstered health screenings, expanded disease surveillance, and prepared rapid response teams for potential cases.
Regional cooperation is also increasing, with the East African Community (EAC) coordinating efforts to enhance preparedness and reduce cross-border transmission risks. EAC Secretary General Stephen Mbundi noted collaboration with Africa CDC, WHO, and other partners to bolster surveillance, laboratory testing, and emergency response capabilities.
The WHO has emphasized that the outbreak may be significantly larger than official figures suggest, with many infections going undetected in conflict-affected areas of the eastern DRC. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described it as the "third-largest Ebola outbreak on record" and called for international donor support to address a $400 million funding gap for preparedness and response efforts.
The outbreak is centered in eastern DRC, where conflict and insecurity have hampered containment efforts. Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya urged neighboring countries to enhance surveillance and laboratory capacity for early detection, warning that delayed detection increases the risk of wider transmission.
Professor Aileen Marty from Florida International University stressed that ongoing violence undermines containment efforts, as treatment centers have been targeted, discouraging health workers from managing patients and leading to infected individuals traveling elsewhere. Marty highlighted the importance of preparedness in neighboring countries to prevent regional spread.
While no neighboring country, apart from Uganda, has confirmed cases linked to the outbreak, health officials stress the necessity of sustained vigilance and investment in surveillance and regional cooperation to curb the virus's cross-border spread.