Ethiopia steps up Ebola peparedness measures

Ethiopia has announced coordinated preparedness and inspection measures aimed at preventing a potential Ebola outbreak, as health authorities across Africa respond to rising cases in the region.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Health said no suspected or confirmed Ebola cases have been detected in the country so far, but warned that the disease remains highly contagious and often fatal, spreading through direct contact between individuals, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

In a statement, the ministry said measures were being introduced in coordination with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and other partners, despite the country not sharing direct border connections with the currently affected states.

The steps include strengthened screening at all international land entry and exit points, enhanced surveillance at airports, improved readiness of health facilities, expanded laboratory capacity, and preparations to ensure availability of essential medical supplies.

The announcement comes amid warnings from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which said the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda is spreading rapidly, with more than 900 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths.

According to Africa CDC assessments, Ethiopia and at least 10 other countries are now considered at high risk, including South Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, Zambia, the Central African Republic, Tanzania, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Somalia.

Ebola is a severe viral disease that can cause fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, body pain, and in some cases internal and external bleeding. WHO says fatality rates vary depending on the virus subtype.

By Sabina Mammadli