Home · Health · May 15 archive
South Sudan Alerts on Ebola as Cases Spread from DRC
Developing
In Short: South Sudan's health ministry warns of potential Ebola spread, citing concerns over insecurity and population movement near the outbreak in DRC, where 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been reported.
The South Sudan Health Ministry has issued an alert on the Ebola virus following cases in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Preliminary tests by the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in DRC detected the virus in 13 of 20 samples from Ituri province, with genetic sequencing ongoing to identify the strain.
Health authorities in DRC reported 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, primarily in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Suspected infections have also been noted in Bunia, a densely populated area near the borders with Uganda and South Sudan.
South Sudanese officials highlighted several risks, including insecurity in the affected areas, high population movement due to mining activities, gaps in contact tracing, and the proximity of the outbreak zones to neighboring countries, which could increase the risk of regional spread.
In response, South Sudan’s health ministry is collaborating with the World Health Organization and other partners to enhance preparedness, surveillance, and rapid response measures to prevent any spread of the disease into the country. The ministry has urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspected cases involving fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual bleeding through the toll-free hotline 6666.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- In a statement, the Ministry of Health and the National Public Health Institute said preliminary laboratory tests by Congo’s Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale detected the Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples…
- The ministry said the outbreak marks Democratic Republic of Congo’s 17th Ebola epidemic since the virus was first identified in 1976.
- Health authorities reported 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths, mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.
- Suspected infections have also been reported in Bunia, a densely populated urban area near the borders with Uganda and South Sudan.
- South Sudanese authorities said insecurity in the affected areas, high population movement linked to mining activities, gaps in contact tracing, and the proximity of the outbreak zones to neighboring countries…
- Ugandan authorities said there was no evidence of local transmission.
- South Sudan’s health ministry said it was working with the World Health Organization and partners to strengthen preparedness, surveillance and rapid response measures to prevent any spread of the disease into the…
- The ministry urged citizens to remain vigilant and immediately report suspected cases involving fever, vomiting, diarrhea or unusual bleeding to the nearest health facility or through the toll-free hotline 6666.
Sources
- Radiotamazujlink