U.S. announces additional $20 million for Ebola preparedness

(JUBA)-United States of America has announced an additional $20 million in funding to strengthen Ebola preparedness efforts in countries neighboring the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including South Sudan, amid fears that the ongoing outbreak could spread across borders.

Announced by the U.S. Department of State in coordination with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday, the funding will support preparedness activities in South Sudan, Burundi, Kenya and Rwanda.

The new allocation brings the State Department’s direct funding for Ebola response and preparedness efforts to more than $220 million.

According to the department, the additional resources will help countries strengthen surveillance systems, laboratory testing, border screening, infection prevention and control measures, and emergency response capabilities to detect and contain potential Ebola cases.

“This additional funding will help support comprehensive preparedness activities in countries surrounding the current outbreak, including in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Sudan,” the department said in a statement.

The funding comes on top of $350 million already committed for Ebola response and other humanitarian assistance in the DRC, South Sudan and Uganda as part of a broader U.S. contribution to international humanitarian operations.

U.S.-supported preparedness activities are expected to enhance the capacity of national emergency operations centers, improve disease surveillance, procure critical medical supplies and strengthen the ability of health authorities to manage suspected Ebola patients.

The department said the United States remains the largest financial contributor to the Ebola response in the region.

In South Sudan, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), supported by U.S. funding, has conducted more than 30,000 traveler screenings at points of entry as part of efforts to strengthen early detection and prevent the virus from crossing into the country.

The U.S. government said implementing partners are continuing to support contact tracing, border screening, community awareness campaigns and health facility preparedness across affected and at-risk countries.

The latest funding announcement comes as health authorities remain concerned about the risk of regional spread from the outbreak in eastern DRC, where insecurity, population movements and limited health infrastructure have complicated response efforts.

South Sudan is considered one of the countries most vulnerable to a potential Ebola importation because of its long and porous border with the DRC, as well as frequent population movements driven by trade, family ties and displacement.

Thousands of people cross between the two countries each week through both official and informal border points, making surveillance and screening a critical component of prevention efforts.

Although South Sudan has not reported a confirmed Ebola case linked to the current outbreak, authorities have maintained heightened surveillance due to the country’s proximity to affected areas in eastern Congo.

Ebola is a severe and often fatal viral disease that spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected people or contaminated materials.

Symptoms include fever, fatigue, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea and, in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.