Freetown, May 18 (IANS) Sierra Leone has enhanced surveillance at entry points in response to Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, a senior health official said Monday.

Foday Sahr, executive director of the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), told Xinhua that Sierra Leone has no confirmed or suspected Ebola cases, and surveillance at points of entry and health facilities has been strengthened to ensure early detection and rapid response.

He disclosed that rapid response teams are on standby in all 16 districts, while isolation protocols and personal protective equipment supplies are being reviewed and replenished, Xinhua news agency reported.

The NPHA is coordinating with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the Economic Community of West African States health authorities, and the World Health Organisation to monitor developments and share real-time information, he added.

The public was advised to avoid unnecessary travel to affected areas, practise regular handwashing, avoid contact with bodily fluids of infected persons, and immediately report suspected symptoms through the national emergency line, he added.

The African Union (AU) on Monday expressed concern over the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

In a statement, AU Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed deep concern over the outbreak’s “growing risk of regional spread within our continent.”

Youssouf urged all African countries and partners to intensify support for preparedness, surveillance, and rapid response efforts in affected and at-risk countries.

He commended the governments of the DRC and Uganda, as well as national health authorities and frontline workers, for their swift response and continued efforts to contain the outbreaks under difficult circumstances. He also welcomed the preparedness measures being undertaken by neighbouring countries, particularly South Sudan.

The AU also warned that the outbreak is driven by the Bundibugyo strain and no strain-specific vaccine is currently available, with a high risk of regional spread.

–IANS

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