South Sudan coordinates operations to stop spread of Ebola

A meeting took place on the 26th of May in Juba under the guidance and initiative of the South Sudanese Health Ministry. The focus was to coordinate different health actors in the face of a likely spread of the Ebola virus to Central African countries. 

According to RFI, the government has presented a 3-month plan of 7.3 million dollars to enable the health services to face the epidemic. 

The preparation level in South Sudan is estimated at 29% by the authorities. Capacities are partial, with a national laboratory capable of conducting tests, while an isolation centre also exists in Juba. 

Authorities understand that in case of a widespread epidemic, preparation and precautions have to be taken. Luke Thomson Thoan, South Sudanese Minister of Health, alerted that until now, there have been no confirmed cases of Ebola, but the authorities are worried as the borders with the DRC and Uganda are porous. He later added that the country would need to be ready if a spike in contamination arises. 

Doctor Humphrey Karamagi, representative of the World Health Organisation in South Sudan, explained that 15 regions are considered at high risk. The regions are mainly those bordering the DRC and Uganda, where the virus could spread at high rates. 

The government is relying on tests, but also on raising awareness in communities about social and physical distancing. 

Former USAID director Jeremy Konyndyk added earlier this week that this Ebola epidemic is the most concerning one since 2014, when USAID invested more than a billion dollars to fight Ebola. 

900 people are suspected to have contracted the Ebola Virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to the World Health Organisation in a public report published on May 24th. The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, named after the region it originates from between DRC and Uganda, is highly fatal as no form of vaccine or treatment currently exists.

RFI, Maghrebi.org