South Sudan staged a five-day full-scale simulation exercise to test its readiness for Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) as outbreaks continue in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.
The exercise, held from October 19 to 24 in Juba, Yei and Yambio, was led by the Ministry of Health and National Public Health Institute with support from World Health Organisation, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and United Nations Children’s Fund.
Authorities say the country has not recorded any BVD case so far, but surveillance systems have detected 71 alerts, with 23 credible cases isolated in 15 high-risk border counties and later testing negative.
According to the National Public Health Institutes national readiness stands at 72.5%, with the simulation designed to test early detection, rapid response and coordination from community to national level.
–ChannelaAfrica–
