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Airlines Urged to Tighten Safety Protocols Amid Ebola Outbreak

The UN aviation agency is urging governments and flight operators to closely follow guidelines put in place following the COVID-19 pandemic, as the deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to spread, with cases confirmed in neighbouring Uganda.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had raised concerns that ongoing violence and humanitarian challenges are hampering containment efforts. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the outbreak is centered in Ituri Province, a conflict-ridden region where nearly five million people live amid insecurity and a severe humanitarian crisis. He said the violence is forcing civilians, as well as health and humanitarian workers, to flee.

"This is severely impeding efforts to scale up Ebola contact tracing and identify infections early enough to provide supportive care," the WHO chief said.

While emphasizing that response efforts are being intensified alongside health partners, he warned that more infections are likely to be detected in the coming weeks.

The latest outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, has also spread beyond the DRC. Neighboring Uganda has recorded two additional confirmed cases among healthcare workers, bringing its total to seven confirmed cases and one death.

Capital FM

The Kenyan government has already screened more than 34,500 travellers at airports, seaports, and land border crossings as authorities intensify efforts to prevent importation of the virus.

InFocus

WHO

A WHO staff at the agency's response hub in Nairobi prepares emergency supplies for airlifting to the Ebola outbreak-affected areas in DR Congo..

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