Ramaphosa praises DRC, Uganda for swift Ebola response


President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as African Union Champion on Pandemic Prevention, has praised the DRC and Ugandan governments for their swift leadership and transparency in declaring the latest Ebola outbreaks.

The Bundibugyo strain was reported in Ituri Province in the DRC and in Kampala, Uganda, following laboratory confirmation.

President Ramaphosa said in a statement that early detection, rapid reporting and decisive action remain critical to containing outbreaks.

The president said Ebola did not respect borders and urgent co-ordinated action was required in a region marked by high population mobility.

He urged intensified cross-border collaboration, strengthened surveillance at formal and informal points of entry and rapid information sharing.