The Democratic Republic of Congo is battling a rapidly growing Ebola outbreak, with more than 100 confirmed cases reported across several eastern provinces.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya said health authorities were working urgently to contain the spread despite the absence of approved vaccines or treatments for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
He said more than 1,800 contacts were being monitored as clusters spread across Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
Kaseya described the outbreak as one of the largest Ebola emergencies since the 2014 West Africa epidemic and warned that years of underinvestment had left African countries without the medical tools needed to combat the disease.
He also said cuts in international funding had weakened surveillance, testing and response systems across affected areas. However, Kaseya said the Africa CDC had received nearly $498m in pledges towards a $319m response plan, calling it a sign of growing commitment to African health sovereignty.
Despite attacks on treatment centres and growing fear among communities, Kaseya insisted African governments and health agencies were mobilising resources and strengthening public health measures to stop transmission.
He said authorities remained optimistic the outbreak could eventually be brought under control through testing, isolation, safe burials and community engagement.
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