Yei County Government Beefs Up Ebola Surveillance at DRC Border Points

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Authorities in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, have intensified Ebola preparedness measures at South Sudan-DR Congo border entry points amid concerns over the spread of the virus in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo.

The County Commissioner, Samuel Henry Malimbo, commended health officials and response teams for developing strategies to strengthen Ebola surveillance and preparedness across the county.

Speaking during a coordination meeting on Friday, officials said the county, in collaboration with national and state Ministries of Health, has established an Ebola task force to ensure rapid response and public protection.

“We are committed to ensuring that all corners of Yei are covered by the Ebola task force so that no community is left out,” Malimbo said.

He added that screening teams will be deployed along the South Sudan–Congo border and within the county to monitor cross-border movement.

Health official Simon Musoga said plans are underway to deploy additional healthcare workers to key locations to strengthen emergency response capacity and manage any suspected Ebola cases.

“We need to ensure that all entry points into the county are properly monitored and controlled,” Musoga said.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reaffirmed its support for Ebola preparedness efforts. IOM representative Emmanuel Bilal said the organization has been involved in monitoring and response activities since 2018 and will continue to support surveillance and prevention.

Bilal warned that the current Ebola outbreak in the region is among the largest recorded in Africa, reportedly affecting more than 1,000 people, and called for stronger border screening and emergency response systems.

He also urged authorities to include the Yei airstrip in screening measures, particularly for passengers traveling to Juba, stressing the need for coordinated action among stakeholders.

“The fight against Ebola requires coordinated and timely intervention,” Bilal said.

Meanwhile, local authorities in Lasu have identified strategic areas for screening along the border. Officials say local residents will also be involved in surveillance and reporting suspected cases within communities.

“We intend to involve local people who understand the communities and can help report suspected cases quickly,” said Cons Guya, one of the officials involved.

Health authorities say these measures are aimed at strengthening disease surveillance and preventing the possible spread of Ebola into Yei River County and other parts of South Sudan.