The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned Nigeria and other African countries to be on red alert over the renewed spread of Ebola virus in the continent.
WHO had raised the alarm following the uncontrollable spread of Ebola infections in Central Africa. The global health watchdog became restless that in spite of the positive epidemiological trends in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, the virus presents serious threat to the neighbouring countries.
National Dailylearned that the WHO Secretariat, which on Monday gave an update on the current situation of Ebola in DRC and Uganda, said that the risk assessment for DRC remains very high at national and regional levels but low at global level.
It was said that after the meeting of the emergency committee convened by the WHO Director-General last weekend, the global health agency declared: “risk in Uganda remains moderate at the national level and low at regional. The high risks of the Uganda event have been mitigated by rapid communication and coordination among authorities across jurisdictions; detection at points of entry and subsequent response activities; and operational preparedness and readiness in Uganda.
“There has been an overall decline in case incidence in the last five weeks, but substantial rates of transmission continues, especially in a few hotspots.”
WHO had also decried that the response continued to be hampered by a lack of adequate funding and strained human resources.
WHO in a statement indicated that, “less than one-third of the resources needed are available,” adding that “at present there is a funding shortfall of $54 million against $98 million needed for the response through July 2019.”
The global organization appealed to the international community to step up funding and support the strengthening of preparedness and response in DRC and the neighbouring countries.