London health specialists have been deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to bolster the response against an ongoing Ebola outbreak. Officials stressed that diseases “are not restricted by borders”, making it “vital” for the UK to collaborate with international partners to protect global health.
Deployment Details
The experts from the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team include seven specialists from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Four will be based in the eastern DRC, supporting World Health Organisation (WHO) field operations, while a fifth will join the WHO country office in the capital Kinshasa. An epidemiologist will also be sent to the Republic of Congo to support the wider response in the region.
Outbreak Statistics
There have been almost 700 confirmed cases of bundibugyo Ebola virus, the majority of which are in DRC. Some 138 people have died, including two in neighbouring Uganda.
Dr Edmund Newman, director of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team at UKHSA, said: “This deployment will help strengthen the existing response to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and across the region, with experts in epidemiology, risk communications and community engagement, infection prevention and control and data modelling now on the ground to support.
“We know infectious diseases are not restricted by borders, which is why it’s vital we continue to work collaboratively with the World Health Organisation and other international partners, as well as national and local response organisations, to protect global health security.
“Amid uncertainty in the global landscape, we’re really pleased to announce the renewal and expansion of the UK-PHRST partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, which allows us to continue sustainably sharing knowledge and support internationally, delivering cutting edge research and evidence to help prevent outbreaks from becoming global health emergencies.”
UK Funding and Commitment
The UK has committed up to £21 million to support the local response to Ebola in DRC, helping to protect frontline workers and vulnerable communities.
Jenny Chapman, minister for Africa and international development, said: “Ebola is a devastating disease and this latest outbreak is deeply concerning. The UK is acting fast, working with regional partners to save lives and stop the spread.
“The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team brings world-class expertise, from infection control to community engagement and modelling the data. It demonstrates our commitment to global health security, and supporting the African-led response to this crisis.
“We are investing in the research, evidence and local leadership needed to respond faster and more effectively to this deadly disease.”
The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team was developed during the West Africa Ebola outbreak in 2014/15.
