Uganda is deploying a team of medical experts and building new treatment facilities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the two countries join forces to stop a deadly Ebola outbreak from spilling across their shared border.
The joint response targets the rare Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain, which has already infected more than 1 600 people and killed over 520 in the DRC. Because standard Ebola vaccines do not protect against this specific variant, health workers are relying entirely on strict isolation protocols and a newly launched World Health Organisation clinical trial for experimental treatments.
Ugandan Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi confirmed that cross-border operations are already underway, with a specialised team and a new treatment unit established in Aru, alongside plans for a second facility in Kasenyi to contain the virus at its source.
–ChannelAfrica–
