The U.S. government has increased funding towards the containment of the latest Ebola outbreak by Ksh6.5 billion as controversy over the Laikipia quarantine facility continues.

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In an announcement on Friday, the U.S. said the funding is aimed at developing countermeasures for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which has claimed 139 lives so far.

“Today, the Department is announcing that, working with Congress, it intends to provide $50 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to develop medical countermeasures for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola that is responsible for the current outbreak in the DRC,” the U.S. Department of State.

The U.S. is channelling the funds towards laboratory studies, clinical trials and manufacturing for Bundibugyo medical treatment or prevention.

📌 What You Need to Know

“Safe and effective medical countermeasures for Ebola will be a critical tool as the United States continues to mount a rapid, coordinated and comprehensive response to protect Americans and support affected communities,” the statement added.

The outbreak is wreaking havoc in the DRC and has spread to Uganda, where it has claimed two lives.

Infections have risen to 689, with the U.S. government saying it has screened more than 6,300 individuals across 24 health facilities in DRC’s Ituri Province, identifying 41 suspected Ebola cases for isolation as of June 8.

Back home, Kenya remains entirely free of any confirmed Ebola cases and has screened over 55,000 travellers at major border entry points, airports, and maritime routes.

According to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, the country remains on high alert and continues preparations.

Speaking on Friday, Duale confirmed the government has halted further construction of the U.S.-backed Ebola quarantine facility at the Laikipia Airbase but will not hesitate to rapidly upscale the process if any case is reported.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke