Photograph — ISG

Between 2013 to 2016, West Africa suffered the worst outbreak of Ebola in history, leading to the loss of thousands of lives alongside socioeconomic disruption. Till date, the continent is still grappling with a disease burden that appears to be insurmountable.

Since the 2014 epidemic, the continent has further faced recent disease outbreaks such as yellow fever in Angola, cholera in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania, as well as the Rift Valley fever presently wreaking havoc to humans and cattle across the East African region.

As a whole, the health condition in the continent is deplorable. However, far worse is the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where the country is grappling with yellow fever, a worsening Ebola epidemic (second worst in history) and the most recent measles outbreak which was declared this week.

Epidemics are becoming more unpredictable and what usually begins as an isolated case tends to multiply, with several more cases and many deaths. With over 2000 Ebola cases reported and more than 1300 people dead in DRC, the massive outbreak has spread across its border into Uganda.

In Kampala, seven people are suspected to have the virus and are being monitored, while three cases were confirmed this week – two of those reportedly dead. The latest developments have placed regional neighbours at alert, Kenya particularly has intensified screening at its border.

The recent wave of disease outbreaks across Africa does not only tests the readiness, ability, and capacity of the governments (in concerned countries) to respond to outbreaks but it also sends a precautionary signal to the leaders of the yet unaffected countries.

Experiences from these outbreaks show that collaborative proactive measures and robust response strategy are needed against any future ones. Border collaboration with a strong surveillance and screening system helped Uganda identify and detect the first Ebola case early and trace those who might have been in contact with the victim.

Unsurprisingly, the East African region is taking the lead in this regard by carrying out a field simulation exercise to test the region’s health system to respond to similar outbreaks. The simulation began on June 11 – the same day one case of Ebola was confirmed in Uganda – and will run until June 14. The exercise is aimed at evaluating the region’s level of preparedness in responding to outbreaks and the available methods of response.

Moreover, the acting head of the health department at the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat in Arusha, Dr Michael Katende, revealed on Monday that the regional body was considering introducing a new policy that tightens travelling within the community to contain the spread of yellow fever.

According to the new guidelines, East Africans planning to go to any of the six countries within the EAC – Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi or Sudan – will be required to show proof that they have been vaccinated against yellow fever 10 days before their actual travel date. Without a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate, citizens will not be allowed to enter any of the member countries.

Seeing that most borders on the continent are porous, other regions could take a cue from the EAC on approaches to tackle subsequent outbreaks of infectious diseases that leave many Africans vulnerable and at the mercy of catastrophe. Apart from securing lives, addressing the continent’s burden disease makes economic sense. A recent report by the World Health Organisation shows that Africa loses over $2.4 trillion from it’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) value annually to disease.

Leaders in the continent simply have to do more to address health issues. Having tight travel requirements and contingency plans in place to prevent or minimise the effects of devastating outbreaks would be a good start.

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