Global Ebola Surge Prompts Calls for Canadian Support
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As cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo surpass 10,000, health officials warn of potential cross-border spread and urge Canada to bolster its response.
A devastating Ebola outbreak in central Africa has reached a critical milestone, with confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo exceeding 10,000 and the death toll surpassing 5,000, as CBC News first reported.
Dr. Jean Kaseya, the director-general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), warned in a CBC News interview that the crisis could lead to "massive" cross-border spread into other countries and continents. Dr. Kaseya, who has lived in Canada since 2013, specifically called on Canada to provide more support to stop the outbreak at its source. He noted that while the current risk to Canada is low, officials should strive to move that risk to zero.
The current crisis, which began in mid-May, is the largest ever recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Containment efforts are being hindered by ongoing conflict, public distrust, and the absence of an approved vaccine or treatment for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. Infections have already been reported in Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria, the latter of which reported its first case in a decade.
In response, CBC News reports that Canada committed $8 million to the Ebola fight in May, which included $2 million allocated to the Africa CDC for biosecurity and surveillance. Additionally, Health Canada authorized Moderna to begin clinical trials for a vaccine targeting the Bundibugyo virus in late July. To mitigate domestic risk, the Public Health Agency of Canada has implemented temporary border measures and issued outbreak alerts for Nigeria and Kenya in October. In a statement to CBC News, the agency noted it will continue to monitor the epidemiological situation to adjust these measures as needed.