United Nations agencies and humanitarian partners have stepped up Ebola preparedness efforts in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State, amid growing concerns that the virus could spread across the border from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Health and humanitarian organisations said the risk of cross-border transmission is increasing as the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC moves geographically closer to South Sudan’s border.
In Ezo, a border town in Western Equatoria State, frequent movement across the frontier is part of daily life for many residents and provides an important source of income.
To reduce the risk of transmission, teams from the World Health Organisation (WHO), with support from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), are conducting public awareness campaigns and screening travellers for signs of the disease.
At the main border crossing, health workers are screening people arriving from the DRC as well as those leaving South Sudan.
“We are visiting to ensure that whoever is crossing from DRC is screened and whoever is leaving is also screened,” said Brian Assimwe, a WHO epidemiologist.
Health agencies have identified the border area as particularly vulnerable because of extensive cross-border movement, weak disease surveillance systems and limited public health capacity.
UN agencies and their partners have responded by supplying medical equipment, increasing public awareness through radio and social media, and strengthening the capacity of local health workers.
Health personnel are also being trained to recognise suspected Ebola cases, use appropriate protective measures and safely isolate patients.
“It is we who are going to educate this community and the community will have full information on how they can prevent themselves from this dangerous disease,” said health worker Cosmas Bonifes.
Authorities face the challenge of preventing the spread of the deadly haemorrhagic disease while allowing residents to maintain essential cross-border trade and movement.
For UNMISS, security is also a key component of the preparedness effort. Peacekeepers and military observers have assessed screening centres and surrounding areas to identify potential security risks and facilitate the safe movement of health teams.
“We are assisting our humanitarian partners in conducting the assessment of the screening centres for Ebola,” said UNMISS Military Observer Vanshay Kapur.
He said the assessment was important to help authorities understand the prevailing security situation and ensure health personnel could operate safely.
The UN and its partners say early detection, community awareness and effective coordination will be critical to preventing a potential outbreak in South Sudan.
An Ebola outbreak in the country could have far-reaching consequences, given South Sudan’s position along major regional migration and trade corridors.
