Africa’s unprecedented Ebola outbreak could reach UK, health official warns
Warning of wider spread
Kaseya said the outbreak’s geographic spread across three African regions was unprecedented. He urged countries to take appropriate measures, warning that no country should assume it is safe.
He compared the risk to the early months of Covid, when some countries saw little danger before later becoming hotspots. Kaseya said he did not want the UK or other countries to become hotspots for Ebola.
Risks and treatment research
Ebola is a severe, highly contagious illness that is often fatal. It spreads through direct contact with infected people’s body fluids, including blood or vomit, and with the bodies of people who have died, including during funeral preparations.
France is the only country outside Africa to have confirmed a case so far: a doctor who returned from DR Congo in June. The Bundibugyo virus has no approved treatment, while vaccine trials are under way; Kaseya said results are expected in three to six months.
Obstacles to the response
The response has been hampered by inadequate protective equipment and health workers’ unpaid wages, which have led to strikes. Conflict in DR Congo, mistrust of officials in affected areas, misinformation and global aid cuts have also complicated efforts.
Kaseya said colleagues in Ituri could not reach people they wanted to support because of insecurity. At a November meeting with African heads of state, he plans to call for a “corridor of peace” in conflict areas and for agreement on protecting people.
Call for urgent funding
Kaseya urged ministers to recognise that their countries could be affected and to avoid being caught unprepared. He said governments should provide funding now to support African countries and strengthen preparedness.
He warned that if the outbreak continues to spread to more countries, the resources required to stop it could rise sharply. Kaseya said the response needed to protect everyone, not just people in areas of conflict.
Key points
- Jean Kaseya warned that Ebola’s spread across three African regions could put the UK and other countries at risk.
- France has confirmed one Ebola case outside Africa, involving a doctor who returned from DR Congo.
- The Bundibugyo virus has no approved treatment; vaccine trial results are expected in three to six months.
- Kaseya called for urgent funding as conflict, shortages, strikes and misinformation hinder the response.