A doctor from CBCA Virunga, following training on Ebola protection measures, works at a checkpoint set up at the hospital entrance as part of Ebola prevention measures in Goma. AFP
An Ebola outbreak was confirmed in both countries this May, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), following reports of new infection clusters and fatalities in localized communities. The resurgence has raised concerns over potential cross-border transmission, given population movement between affected areas, and is placing additional pressure on already strained health systems in outbreak zones.
Abdel Ghaffar has called for a unified African-led response to the Ebola outbreak, stressing urgent continental coordination to contain the spread of the disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
The appeal came during a high-level ministerial meeting of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), held via video conference on Monday, bringing together senior African health officials and international partners to assess the evolving situation and align response strategies.
The meeting included South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Africa CDC Director-General Dr Jean Kaseya, Gavi CEO Dr Sania Nishtar, and representatives of the African Union Commission (AUC), alongside health ministers from participating countries.
During the session, Abdel Ghaffar emphasized that Africa has the institutional capacity and expertise to mount an effective and coordinated response to cross-border health threats, warning that the outbreak extends beyond public health concerns to include social and economic dimensions.
He reaffirmed Egypt’s solidarity with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, praising frontline health workers and rapid response teams.
Ghebreyesus, meanwhile, stressed that controlling Ebola requires strong leadership and international coordination, noting that vaccines and treatments are available based on lessons from previous outbreaks.
Additionally, Kaseya warned of rising infections and fatalities and urged immediate collective action to prevent further escalation of the outbreak.
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