The WHO Seeks $83 Million For Continued Ebola Response

During the past week, the incidence of new Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases has remained low in central Africa.

As of February 18, 2020, a total of 3,433 EVD cases have been reported, since the outbreak began in August 2018, of which 2,253 cases were fatal, reflecting an overall case fatality ratio of 66 percent. 

To maintain operations and prevent re-emergence of the Ebola outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced it is requesting additional funding on February 20, 2020.

Under the Strategic Response Plan, the WHO’s financial need for the Ebola Response from January to June 2020 is $83 million dollars. 

Thanks to the generosity of many donors during 2019, the WHO has some carry-over funding, which has been applied to maintain operations through February 2020. 

The Who says USD $40 million is currently needed to ensure continuity of response and preparedness activities to bring the case incidence to zero, and continue building strong, resilient health systems.

Recently, four African countries announced their approval for Merck’s Zaire Ebolavirus vaccine named ERVEBO on February 14, 2020.

The ERVEBO vaccine is now been registered by National Health Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Africa (DRC), Burundi, Ghana, and Zambia.

The ERVEBO vaccine is indicated for the prevention of disease caused by Zaire ebolavirus in individuals 18 years of age and older. The duration of protection conferred by ERVEBO is unknown and it does not protect against other species of Ebolavirus or Marburgvirus.

And, information regarding additional Ebola vaccine candidates can be found on this webpage. 

Furthermore, the WHO continues to advise against any restriction of travel to, and trade with, the DRC based on the currently available information. 

Any requirements for certificates of Ebola vaccination are not a reasonable basis for restricting movement across borders or the issuance of visas for travelers to/from the affected countries. 

Currently, no country has implemented travel measures that significantly interfere with international traffic to and from the DRC. 

Travelers should seek medical advice before travel and should practice good hygiene while traveling abroad.

For further information about public health response actions by the Ministry of Health, WHO, and partners, please refer to the latest situation reports Ebola situation reports: Democratic Republic of the Congo published by the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

Travel vaccine news is published by Vax-Before-Travel