The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is stepping up preventive measures and accelerating vaccine development as the Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reported cases of spreading in neighboring countries, Director-General Jean Kaseya said Tuesday.
The World Health Organization (WHO) revealed on Monday that the outbreak in the DRC has caused 220 suspected deaths. It was declared as a public health emergency of international concern on May 17.
During an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Kaseya said the outbreak was first flagged in early May and later confirmed as the Bundibugyo strain, with cases also detected in Uganda.
"Officially, the first case, the first alert came on the 5th of May, but this alert was tested in Ituri with the cartridge that was for Zaire. You know, we have some strains, the strain that we know more is Zaire that is killing more than other strains. When they tested Zaire, it came negative. They were thinking that it was not Ebola. Later, when we had other cases, they sent samples to Kinshasa, it was on the 14th that they discovered it was Bundibugyo. And on the 15th, I got evidence that also Uganda had cases. This is why Africa CDC declared this outbreak followed by the government of Uganda and DRC," said Kaseya.
Kaseya said Africa CDC has implemented public health measures to contain the Bundibugyo strain, but African countries continue to face funding shortages and lack effective vaccines.
"This one, the current one, is the second largest Ebola outbreak after the one in West Africa. And we need, currently, because we don't have vaccine, we don't have medicines, we need to make sure that we are putting in place all public health measures to stop this outbreak. The WHO is warning people about, first, funding, second, about the risk of this outbreak to spread to other countries. I think Africa CDC has already communicated that we have between 10 to 12 countries at risk," he said.
"Now what we are doing, we are accelerating with the vaccine. Africa CDC is part of the team that is working on the vaccine. While on the ground, we still continue to implement what we learned from the previous Ebola outbreaks. It means how to implement the public health measures to stop the transmission," said Kaseya.
Africa CDC steps up Ebola response, accelerates vaccine drive: official
The Chinese Embassy in South Sudan and the 12th Chinese Peacekeeping Infantry Battalion to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan on Tuesday donated school supplies, sports gear and cultural equipment to a secondary school in Juba to support local education and promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
The donation ceremony, held under the theme "Chinese Culture Enters Campus," took place at the Chinese-built Jubek Model Martyrs Secondary School, bringing together officials, teachers and students to promote educational cooperation and cultural engagement between the two sides.
Peter Lado Tombe, director general of the Ministry of Education and General Instruction in the Central Equatoria State, said the donation is timely amid the significant needs of the state's education sector.
"We thank you for your concern and for coming out with this donation to this school. It speaks volumes," he said.
Tombe noted that improving learning conditions across the country plays a critical role in rebuilding lives and supporting the human development of young people after years of intermittent conflict.
Flora Victor Legge, head teacher of Jubek Model Martyrs Secondary School, said that despite many challenges facing South Sudan, teachers continue to play a vital role in shaping the country's future, working tirelessly to guide, mentor and educate learners with dedication and commitment.
This donation is not only a contribution of materials and resources but also a symbol of partnership, unity and hope for the future of South Sudanese children, said Legge.
Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan Huo Ying said cooperation between China and South Sudan since 2011 has covered political, economic and cultural fields.
Huo said China has consistently supported South Sudan's education sector, working to connect people through education, consolidate the foundation of world peace through youth friendship, and promote mutual learning among civilizations and people-to-people exchanges.
Chinese peacekeeper Wen Haiyuan said that since their deployment, the troops have faithfully fulfilled tasks mandated by the United Nations.
He noted that the battalion has conducted routine patrols and armed escorts, visited villages and schools along mission routes, and carried out civil-military cooperation activities including material donations, free medical services, tree planting and cultural exchanges.
Chinese peacekeepers support education, cultural exchanges in South Sudan
