South Africa pledges US$2.5m to Africa’s Ebola response as WHO declares emergency

Continent-wide backing for an escalating outbreak

South Africa has pledged US$2.5 million (R41.2 million) to the Africa Epidemics Fund to support the response to the recent Ebola outbreak, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

WHO declares emergency as cases mount

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, with hundreds of cases reported. WHO experts said investigations are under way into the origins of the outbreak and cautioned that there is suspicion the disease had been spreading under the radar.

Where the virus has been detected

Laboratory confirmation identified the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola in the Ituri Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and in Kampala, Uganda. To bolster the response, eight Africa CDC experts were deployed to Bunia, Ituri Province.

How South Africa’s pledge will be used

Africa CDC said South Africa’s contribution will support strengthened response measures across the continent, including:

• continental coordination
• surveillance and laboratory systems
• rapid response deployment
• infection prevention and control
• cross-border preparedness
• support for affected communities

African leadership and a call for broader support

In a statement, Africa CDC expressed appreciation to the people and government of South Africa and to President Cyril Ramaphosa in his role as African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response, calling the pledge a timely demonstration of leadership and solidarity.

Africa CDC urged all African Union member states, donor countries, development partners, philanthropic institutions and the private sector to follow South Africa’s example by contributing to the Africa Epidemics Fund and supporting ongoing response efforts.

Coordinated, Africa-led response

The Africa CDC said it remains committed to working closely with affected member states, the AU Commission, regional economic communities and global partners to ensure a rapid, effective and Africa-led response to contain transmission and prevent wider regional escalation.