The East African bloc calls for action to prevent Ebola

The East African Community (EAC) on Monday urged partner states to strengthen communication measures on risks and crises in order to avoid Ebola fever.

Michael Katende, Acting Head of Health at the EAC Secretariat, called on partner states to strongly involve border communities, traders and trade badociations in risk and crisis communication measures.

"This is especially important because most of the border is porous and hard to control," Katende said.

"Informal and formal traders need to know the risk and be able to make informed decisions to minimize it and take active precautions," he said.

EAC partner countries have put in place precautionary measures to stop the spread of EVD in the EAC region, he said.

"This includes vaccinating front-line health workers, screening all travelers at ports of entry, including airports, and training first responders in the event of an outbreak. However, these measures may not be enough, "he said.

The official said he was worried that Ebola would spread to South Sudan with its still-fragile health system, calling on partner states to increase risk and crisis communication by involving community, religious and others, as well as the media in public awareness.

At the same time, the EAC Secretariat is calling on traders and business badociations as well as those traveling across the border with the DRC to take extra precautions, as the threat of Ebola is real.

"All people crossing the border should cooperate with immigration, health and safety officials who conduct controls at entry points and should follow their advice scrupulously. Front-line health workers and members of affected communities must agree to be vaccinated against Ebola for their own protection and to help prevent the spread of Ebola. " he declares.

The head of the EAC secretariat also urged residents of the affected areas to avoid unnecessary hand-to-hand contact, as it is the main means of transmitting the disease.

"The public should be vigilant and immediately inform the nearest health workers when they see someone with EVD signs: fever, severe headache, weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting and unexplained hemorrhages (bleeding). or bruises) from various outlets of the body. like the nose, ears and mouth, "he said.

"This is particularly important along the" green border "where no screening measures are in place," he added.