Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has raised alarm over the possible spread of the Ebola virus to 10 African countries following the worsening outbreak in Central and East Africa.
The Director-General of the Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, disclosed this on Saturday, warning that increased cross-border movement and insecurity in the region were fueling the spread of the deadly disease.
According to him, the countries currently at risk include Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.
“We have 10 countries at risk. High mobility and insecurity were major factors complicating containment efforts,” he said.
The warning followed the declaration by the World Health Organization that the outbreak of the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever constituted an international emergency.
The outbreak, which is centred in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, has reportedly recorded hundreds of suspected cases and over 170 suspected deaths, according to health authorities.
Earlier on May 18, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared the outbreak a “Public Health Emergency of Continental Security,” citing concerns over regional transmission due to weak health systems, insecurity and population displacement across borders.
Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. The disease can lead to internal bleeding, organ failure and death if not promptly contained.
