Authorities have now confirmed outbreaks of the Ebola Virus Disease in two African countries.
Health officials traced at least some Ugandan cases to people who had recently traveled from eastern Congo into Uganda. One infected Congolese patient reportedly died in a Kampala hospital after crossing the border.
However, investigators also found cases in Uganda that did not have obvious epidemiological links, raising fears that there may already be undetected community transmission.
Reports indicate symptoms may have appeared in DRC as early as late April, but the outbreak was only flagged after numerous deaths had already occurred.
The outbreak appears linked to a rare strain of Ebola, for which there is currently no approved vaccine.
South African President and African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, Cyril Ramaphosa says early detection, rapid reporting and decisive action are critical in preventing a wider regional crisis. He warned that Ebola does not respect borders, particularly in a region affected by high population movement, insecurity and humanitarian displacement.
The World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, warning that the actual number of infections could be significantly higher than officially reported.
