The United States has mobilised more than Ksh3 billion ($23 million) to support efforts to contain the deadly Ebola outbreak spreading across parts of East and Central Africa, while simultaneously issuing a stark travel warning covering four countries in the region.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 20, the U.S. Department of State confirmed the emergency funding package would be channelled towards strengthening the international response to the escalating Ebola crisis, which has already left more than 130 people dead.
The funding announcement comes as fears mount over the spread of the highly infectious Ebola Bundibugyo virus strain in Uganda and neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with health officials monitoring hundreds of suspected cases.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Uganda, the emergency funds will finance critical containment measures including disease surveillance, laboratory testing, public awareness campaigns, safe burial procedures, clinical treatment and enhanced border screening operations.
“The Department of State mobilised an initial Ksh3 billion (USD23 million) in bilateral foreign assistance to immediately bolster Ebola response,” the embassy said in a statement.
The statement added: “The support will strengthen surveillance, laboratory capacity, risk communication, safe burials, entry and exit screening, and clinical case management.”
Health authorities in the region remain on high alert amid growing concerns that the outbreak could spill across borders if urgent intervention measures fail.
Reports indicate that more than 500 suspected infections have been recorded across Uganda and the DRC, raising alarm among international health agencies already struggling to contain recurrent outbreaks in the region.
The latest intervention by Washington is aimed at preventing a wider humanitarian and public health disaster, particularly in vulnerable areas where healthcare systems are under immense pressure.
At the same time, the U.S. government has issued a sweeping travel advisory warning American citizens against travelling to Uganda, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo “for any reason whatsoever”.
The advisory also urged travellers to reconsider planned visits to Rwanda due to fears the virus could spread into the country, despite no officially confirmed cases being reported there.
“The Department of State strongly urges Americans not to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Sudan, or Uganda for any reason and to reconsider travel to Rwanda due to the Ebola Bundibugyo Virus disease outbreak in the region,” the advisory stated.
Meanwhile, Kenya has intensified surveillance and emergency preparedness measures at airports, seaports and border entry points in a bid to stop the virus from entering the country.
The Ministry of Health has urged Kenyans to remain calm but vigilant as authorities continue monitoring travellers arriving from affected regions.
Public health officials have also heightened screening procedures and emergency response coordination amid fears of cross-border transmission within East Africa.
Also Read: Ruto Awarded Kazakhstan’s Highest Honour