The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo could reach the UK if appropriate measures are not taken, according to a health expert. Dr Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), compared the rapid spread of Ebola to Covid-19 and warned that countries which initially said they faced zero risk later became hotspots.
Warning over global spread
Dr Kaseya said: "We shouldn’t forget that at the beginning of Covid, many countries said there was zero risk of being affected, but a few months later, they became the hotspot. We don’t want to see the UK and other countries become the hotspot."
He added: "We want all countries to know that they are not safe if they don’t take appropriate measures. Each country, not only in the African region, but all continents, must now increase the preparedness level and the possibility for treatment."
Dr Kaseya noted that this is the first time three African regions have been affected by Ebola, describing the geographic extension of the outbreak as "unprecedented".
Outbreak statistics
The most recent outbreak started in May. Data from the Democratic Republic of Congo health ministry indicates more than 9,800 cases, including more than 4,700 deaths, making it the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the country’s history.
In Kenya, there have been nine cases and two deaths so far. Cases were also reported in May and June in Uganda, but in August the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the country free of the virus.
In September, the WHO said the current outbreak is on track to surpass the 2014-16 outbreak in West Africa, which is the deadliest on record, killing more than 11,000 people, largely in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
UK funding response
UK Foreign Office minister Kirsty McNeill announced that £51.8 million would be added to an existing pledge of £26.9 million, which was put forward in May.
In September, Ms McNeill said: "We are working closely with international partners to support the African-led response. We acted early to allocate an initial £26.9 million to fund the immediate response in DRC and Uganda, support the World Health Organisation and Africa Centre for Disease Control (CDC) in coordinating the regional response."
She added: "I am pleased to announce to the House a further £51.8 million, taking our total funding to £78.7 million. We are also taking a leading role internationally. I met the head of Africa CDC Dr Jean Kaseya, in Addis Ababa last week, and I’ll be discussing this issue with ministerial counterparts ahead of the UN General Assembly later this month."
