NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 11 – The United States has announced an additional $242 million to support immediate Ebola response, preparedness and humanitarian efforts in countries affected by or at risk from the outbreak in East and Central Africa.

📻 Breaking It Down

The funding comes as health authorities across the region step up surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control measures following the outbreak of Bundibugyo virus disease, a form of Ebola disease, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The US says it remains the largest financial contributor to the international Ebola response, with its support focused not only on containing active infections but also on strengthening health systems in countries such as Kenya that are at risk because of their proximity to affected areas and their role as regional transport hubs.

The latest funding will support emergency response operations, disease surveillance, medical supplies, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control, risk communication and other preparedness measures.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to the US government, its assistance to date has enabled 8.6 million health screenings across affected and at-risk countries and reached more than one million people with Ebola risk-communication messages.

The US has also supported more than 180 health facilities in Ebola-affected areas and directly operated 12 specialised facilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the isolation and treatment of Ebola patients.

Nearly 300 metric tonnes of critical supplies have been procured and distributed under the response, including personal protective equipment and commodities required for water, sanitation, hygiene and infection prevention and control.

The assistance has also helped strengthen diagnostic capacity at 11 operational laboratories across the region.

Kenya has emerged as a key part of the regional preparedness strategy because of its extensive air and road links with Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and other countries in the region.

The country has strengthened screening at points of entry, surveillance and laboratory preparedness while identifying isolation and treatment facilities capable of handling suspected cases.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya