With nearly 5,000 deaths in the DRC, African health authorities step up surveillance and cross-border cooperation as the Bundibugyo strain spreads….reports Africa Daily News Desk
Africa is stepping up its response to a widening Ebola outbreak, with health authorities calling for stronger cross-border surveillance, emergency preparedness and protection for frontline workers as the disease spreads across the continent. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains at the centre of the crisis, with nearly 5,000 deaths reported, while Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda are among the countries affected. Namibia has also strengthened its defences despite reporting no suspected or confirmed cases.
African health ministers, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) held an emergency virtual meeting to coordinate the response to the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain. Officials warned that insecurity, limited medical resources, cross-border movement and inadequate funding were complicating efforts to contain the disease.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya described the outbreak as a continental health security challenge, stressing that stopping Ebola remained the continent’s main priority.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the situation remained “extremely serious and difficult”, warning that multiple outbreaks across a vast geographical area required sustained action in several locations simultaneously.
DR Congo struggles as death toll nears 5,000
The DRC has recorded 10,274 confirmed Ebola cases and 4,992 deaths as of 28 October, according to its National Institute of Public Health. The case fatality rate stands at 48.6 per cent, with the outbreak affecting 67 health zones across eight provinces.
Declared on 15 May after cases were detected in Ituri and North Kivu, the outbreak has become the world’s second-largest recorded Ebola outbreak.
The crisis has placed enormous pressure on healthcare services in the country’s conflict-affected east. North Kivu has reported 2,391 confirmed cases and 1,341 deaths, while the Beni health zone has recorded 661 cases and 443 deaths.
The Africa CDC paid tribute to Dr Marie-France Shogogo, who died of Ebola in Beni, calling for greater protection for frontline medical personnel.
“Protect those who protect us,” the agency said in a message on X.
Local health sources reported that three doctors died from the disease within less than 72 hours at an Ebola treatment centre in Beni.
Treatment facilities in North Kivu were operating at 86.3 per cent capacity, while only 82.2 per cent of identified contacts were being monitored, below the 95 per cent target.
Nigeria strengthens vigilance amid regional spread
Nigeria is among the countries affected by the wider outbreak, prompting renewed attention to disease surveillance and cross-border preparedness.
The emergency meeting identified Nigeria alongside the DRC, Uganda and Kenya as countries reporting cases of the Bundibugyo strain. African health authorities stressed the importance of early detection, rapid intervention and information-sharing to prevent further transmission.
Namibia, although reporting no suspected or confirmed cases, has also strengthened surveillance and preparedness at its points of entry.
Its Ministry of Health and Social Services urged residents to practise good hand hygiene, avoid contact with suspected cases and seek immediate medical attention following possible exposure. It also advised travellers to disclose relevant travel and contact histories to healthcare personnel.
The ministry emphasised that the absence of specific vaccines and treatments makes early detection and prompt medical care particularly important.
Kenya receives continental support
Kenya has received support from the Africa CDC following its confirmation of an imported Ebola case on 6 October. The country has since reported nine confirmed cases, including two deaths.
The Africa CDC praised the government’s response, highlighting its political leadership, surveillance measures and efforts to contain transmission.
Following discussions in Nairobi between Kaseya and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, the agency announced that it had mobilised approximately $1.5 million in financial, technical and operational assistance.
The support includes 10 public health experts, laboratory reagents and diagnostic kits, alongside assistance with surveillance, contact tracing, case management and community engagement.
The agency also provided equipment worth approximately $350,000 to strengthen Kenya’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.
Kenya’s Director-General for Health, Patrick Amoth, highlighted health worker infections, cross-border transmission and dependence on donated medicines as major challenges facing the continent. He said Kenya would maintain travel and trade without restrictions beyond those justified by international health regulations and scientific evidence.
Uganda’s Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said his country had successfully interrupted transmission within its borders, demonstrating the importance of early and decisive action.
Beyond the four affected countries, 10 other African nations have been designated as high-risk: South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia, the Central African Republic, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Somalia.
Health leaders have called for sustained funding, stronger regional coordination, better protection for healthcare workers and transparent sharing of information to prevent further spread. They stressed that containing the outbreak will require a coordinated continental response rather than isolated national efforts.
