Governments across Africa will coordinate Ebola preparedness and increase border monitoring while keeping crossings open, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said after ministers met virtually Wednesday.
The agency convened the Oct. 28 meeting to assess the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Africa CDC said cases had also been reported in Kenya and Nigeria. The meeting followed earlier coverage of cases beyond Congo and the planned ministerial session.
Kaseya said ministers agreed to prepare and coordinate across borders. He described their border policy as: “Keep those borders open while watching them closely.”
Before the meeting, Africa CDC called for stronger surveillance, cross-border cooperation, community engagement and protection for frontline health workers.
The meeting was also expected to inform preparations for a summit of heads of state and government led by Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, the African Union chairperson. Africa CDC did not give a date for the summit.
