Africa CDC flags 10 countries at risk as Ebola spreads

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that 10 African countries are at risk of being affected by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa.

Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa CDC disclosed that countries at risk include Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.

Kaseya blamed the growing threat on rising cross-border movement, insecurity and weak health systems in the affected region.

“We have 10 countries at risk,” he said while addressing concerns over the worsening outbreak linked to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The warning comes after the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak of the highly contagious haemorrhagic fever an international public health emergency.

According to the WHO, the outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has already recorded hundreds of suspected infections and over 170 suspected deaths.

Africa CDC had earlier declared the situation a “Public Health Emergency of Continental Security” on May 18, citing fears of rapid regional transmission.

Ebola is a severe viral disease transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids and can lead to internal bleeding, organ failure and death.

Health authorities across the continent are now intensifying surveillance and emergency preparedness to prevent the virus from spreading further across Africa.