Neighboring Countries Heighten Ebola Preparedness as Cases Surge in DRC
Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda and the East African Community have intensified border screening, surveillance and emergency response measures amid a rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Countries bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo have increased health checks at border crossings, trained frontline workers and activated emergency plans to limit the risk of imported Ebola cases. The DRC health ministry reported 2,344 infections and at least 930 deaths since the outbreak was declared on May 15, while the World Health Organization warned that actual case numbers could be up to four times higher.
In Zambia, officials have reinforced nationwide prevention measures, including mandatory face masks, hand washing and extensive disinfection, and have activated provincial emergency response centers, said Dr. Naeem Dalal of the Zambia National Public Health Institute.
Uganda, which has previously contained Ebola outbreaks, has stepped up surveillance in three western districts that border the DRC. Dr. Beda Senkware of Kabale Referral Hospital warned that the risk of Ebola is very high in Kisoro, Kanungu and Rukungiri districts.
Rwanda also expanded health screening at its borders and prepared rapid response teams to investigate suspected cases.
The East African Community (EAC) agreed on a coordinated regional response. EAC Secretary General Stephen Mbundi said partner states are working with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the WHO and development partners to strengthen surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and risk communication.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the outbreak as the third-largest Ebola event on record and called for donors to close a funding gap of more than $400 million for the joint WHO-Africa CDC preparedness plan.
Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya urged neighboring nations to boost surveillance and laboratory capacity, emphasizing that early detection is essential to prevent wider transmission.
Infectious-disease specialist Professor Aileen Marty noted that ongoing conflict in eastern DRC hampers containment, with treatment centers destroyed and health workers reluctant to operate in the area, increasing the risk of infected individuals moving across borders.
No neighboring country has confirmed a case linked to the outbreak, but officials stress that continued investment in surveillance, laboratory capacity and regional cooperation is critical to avert cross-border spread.