Border Surveillance Intensifies
South Sudan’s Health Ministry has deployed health workers to key crossings and airports, checking temperatures and registering arrivals in response to the Ebola cases confirmed in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Coordination with WHO and Partners
Officials say the response plan is being drafted in concert with the World Health Organization, with joint teams mapping potential transit routes to stop the virus at the frontier.
Public Advice on Preventive Steps
Authorities urge anyone experiencing fever, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained bleeding to seek care or call the national hotline 6666, emphasising that early detection sharply improves survival.
Citizens are encouraged to wash hands frequently, avoid direct contact with bodily fluids, and allow trained teams to manage all burials, measures described by the ministry as ‘simple but life-saving’.
Challenges in Remote Kasai
The outbreak in Kasai, a forested area with scant roads, hampers sample transport and contact tracing, prompting concerns that undetected cases could cross porous borders.
Understanding the Zaire Strain
Laboratory tests point to the Zaire strain, historically linked to higher fatality rates; epidemiologists are monitoring whether the current cluster aligns with the average 50 per cent case mortality.
Transparent Communication Continues
Weekly briefings have been promised by Juba officials to keep the public informed and to counter rumours that could hinder a swift, united response.