The United States government has mobilised Ksh3 billion to assist Uganda in fighting the spread of the Ebola virus, even as Kenya intensifies measures to prevent the disease from entering the country.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a notice on Wednesday, May 20, the U.S. Department of State announced that the funds have been mobilised in bilateral foreign assistance to strengthen the global response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Uganda, the funds will be used for critical response measures, including disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, risk communication, safe burial practices, clinical case management and entry and exit screening.

"The Department of State mobilised an initial Ksh3 billion (USD23 million) in bilateral foreign assistance to immediately bolster Ebola response, supporting surveillance, laboratory capacity, risk communication, safe burials, entry and exit screening, and clinical case management," the embassy stated.

📌 What You Need to Know

The funds come amid the outbreak of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are spreading to Uganda.

Over 500 people across Uganda and the DRC are suspecte d to have contracted the virus, with over 130 deaths reported.

The emergency support is aimed at containing the spread of the virus and preventing further loss of life, particularly in affected regions where health systems are under strain.

At the same time, the U.S. government has also issued a travel advisory to its citizens, cautioning them against travelling to Uganda, South Sudan, and the DRC for any reason whatsoever.

For those seeking to travel to Rwanda, the advisory encouraged them to reconsider their plans, as there is a possibility the virus has reached Rwanda. However, no official reports have confirmed this.

"The Department of State strongly urges Americans not to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, or Uganda for any reason and to reconsider travel to Rwanda due to the Ebola Bundibugyo Virus disease outbreak in the region," it said.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke