The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called an emergency regional coordination meeting after Uganda confirmed an imported Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease case linked to an outbreak in eastern DR Congo. ALSO READ: DR Congo confirms new Ebola outbreak with 65 deaths reported The meeting, scheduled for May 16, will bring together health authorities from DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, and partners including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Pandemic Fund, the African Medicines Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Talks are expected to focus on cross-border surveillance, laboratory support, infection prevention and control, case management, contact tracing, logistics and resource mobilisation, according to a statement from Africa CDC This follows Uganda’s confirmation of a case involving a 59-year-old man from DR Congo who was admitted to hospital on May 11 and died on May 14. Ugandan authorities said the infection was imported from DR Congo and that no local transmission had been confirmed. In DR Congo, authorities are investigating an outbreak in Ituri Province where about 246 suspected cases and at least 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones. Preliminary laboratory findings from the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) detected the Ebola Bundibugyo virus in 13 out of 20 tested samples, according to Africa CDC. Four deaths have been recorded among laboratory-confirmed cases, while suspected infections reported in Bunia are still awaiting confirmation. Africa CDC said the outbreak remains a concern because of insecurity in affected areas, population movement and mining-related activities around Mongwalu. The agency also pointed to gaps in contact tracing and infection prevention measures, particularly in areas near the Ugandan and South Sudan borders. “Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Governments and people of DR Congo and Uganda as they respond to this outbreak. The situation requires speed, scientific rigour and regional solidarity,” said Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC. The centre had activated an Incident Management Support Team covering DR Congo, Uganda and South Sudan, approved a 72-hour Incident Action Plan and deployed multidisciplinary teams to support response efforts. The agency announced plans to assess needs for diagnostics, vaccines, therapeutics, protective equipment and cold chain systems as investigations continue. Ebola Virus Disease spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids of infected people, contaminated materials or the bodies of people who have died from the disease.
