South Sudan government said it has started to step up surveillance at entry points following reports of Ebola virus infections in neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
A second case of Ebola was confirmed in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the World Health Organization on Sunday, following an outbreak of 17 suspected cases last week.
In a Monday press briefing, Dr. Makur Koryom, the undersecretary of South Sudan’s ministry of health, said although no cases of Ebola have been reported in South Sudan, the cases of Ebola in Congo are of concern in the country.
He pointed out that they ministry would create awareness among South Sudanese citizens who are living near the common borders with Congo like Gbudue, Tombura and Yei River States.
Koryom noted that medical teams are now at the airport and other entry points to screen people who come from neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, Pinyi Nyimol, Director General of Preventive Medicines at South Sudan’s Health Ministry, said the ministry plans to train people on surveillance in the coming few days after reports of Ebola cases in neighboring Congo.