South Sudan establishes Ebola task force to prevent regional spillover

South Sudan has established a high-level national task force in Juba to prepare for a potential Ebola outbreak. While the country has recorded no cases, health agencies have classified it as a high-risk area for importation due to its shared borders with affected regions.

The Ebola outbreak, involving the Bundibugyo strain, originated in the Ituri province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and spread to Uganda. According to South Sudanese Health Minister Luke Thompson Thoan, Uganda has since cleared the virus following approximately 20 reported cases, but the threat of spillover into neighboring South Sudan remains a concern. The new task force aims to enhance regional sanitary vigilance through improved surveillance and border monitoring, supported by the World Health Organization and Africa CDC.