Authorities in Uganda say the country’s healthcare system has succeeded in stemming further spread of the deadly Ebola virus that killed at least three people in Kasese, a border district with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been battling it over the past 11 months.
The announcement came as the US government announced close to $100 million in aid to the DRC government to bolster efforts to contain the outbreak. The contribution raises hope that the epidemic will be controlled.
But concerns remain among other neighbours, especially South Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda that the risk the disease may still spread.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that DRC’s Ebola funding needs amounted to $98 million, out of which $44 million had been received. He said funding was a major issue in the DRC Ebola control efforts.
The Ebola Virus Disease Zaire subtype has claimed close to 1,600 lives while 2,244 cases confirmed among the Congolese as of July 5 2019.
This is the second largest recorded outbreak of Ebola after the 2014 West Africa epidemic that killed more than 11,000 people. Three Ugandans have been killed by the virus and countries, especially neighbours, remain on high alert.
Uganda has raised over $18 million for preparedness and control of the disease. The funds have been utilised to establish Ebola treatment centres and training of over 500 health workers. 4,419 frontline health workers were vaccinated against Ebola by the Government of Uganda
A report by a joint advisory on Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda showed that no new case of Ebola has been confirmed and all the 110 people who directly or indirectly came into contact with confirmed patients completed the mandatory 21 days of follow-up without developing any signs of Ebola.
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