By Salma El-Sakka
Africa's unprecedented Ebola outbreak could spread to the UK and other countries unless global funding and preparedness increase, the director general of the Africa CDC warned.
Outbreak spreads across three regions
The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo virus, has reached 10,091 cases with 4,887 deaths, mostly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has spread to Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria, where a case was confirmed in Abuja. France has also reported a case in a doctor returning from DR Congo.
No approved treatment, vaccine trials underway
The Bundibugyo strain has no approved treatment, though vaccine trials are ongoing with results expected in three to six months. The response has been hampered by shortages of protective equipment, unpaid health worker wages, conflict in DR Congo, misinformation, and global aid cuts.
Funding gap threatens response
Kaseya said governments have pledged $3 billion but more than $2 billion remains outstanding. African countries have committed $120 million, with the rest expected from international donors including the US, UK, and EU. He warned that failure to fund the response now could lead to trillions in costs if the outbreak spreads further.
Call for cross-border cooperation and peace corridor
Kaseya will convene African health ministers to urge screening at entry points and greater cross-border cooperation. In November, he will ask African heads of state for a "corridor of peace" in conflict zones to allow health workers to reach affected populations.
