The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Friday launched a joint $518 million response plan to tackle the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighbouring countries.
The WHO said the joint plan with Africa CDC will run from June to November this year. The outbreak was declared on 15 May in northeastern DRC. However, the rare Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus is believed to have been circulating undetected for some time before the declaration.
According to the latest WHO figures, 381 confirmed cases have been recorded in the DRC, including 64 deaths.
The outbreak has affected three provinces in northeastern DRC, with Ituri identified as the epicentre. Africa CDC said Ituri accounts for 90 per cent of confirmed cases and 76 per cent of deaths.
In neighbouring Uganda, 16 confirmed cases have been reported, including one death.
Speaking at a press conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the plan focuses on emergency coordination, surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, and community engagement.
He said the initiative outlines the immediate measures required to contain the outbreak and reduce the risk of further transmission.
Tedros said the programme is time-bound from June to November and carries an estimated cost of $518 million.
According to Africa CDC, the current outbreak is larger than the two previous recorded outbreaks of the Bundibugyo strain in 2007 and 2012.
There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
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