Press Release

For the first time, the East African Community (EAC) is operationalising its Rapidly Deployable Expert (RDE) Pool in response to an international public health emergency due to the spreading Mpox virus disease outbreak. EAC Partner States such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Burundi are particularly affected, with the DRC reporting over 7,000 confirmed cases by end of October 2024, around 40% of them among children under 15.

The Rapidly Deployable Expert (RDE) Pool is a specialized team of trained health professionals and other experts within the East African Community (EAC) that can be quickly mobilized to assist member states in managing public health emergencies. The RDE Pool brings together experts in fields like epidemiology, environment, IT, laboratory science, logistics, risk communication, and clinical management, providing immediate, hands-on support in disease surveillance, response coordination, and healthcare provision during outbreaks. By deploying the RDE Pool, EAC enhances regional preparedness and strengthens each member state's capacity to address complex health crises effectively and efficiently. Read more on this link .

The IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC) has released its October to December 2024 seasonal forecast, revealing contrasting weather patterns across East Africa. Drier-than-normal conditions are expected in the eastern parts of the region, particularly in southern Ethiopia, Somalia, eastern Kenya, and central and southern Tanzania. These areas face increased risks of drought, which could exacerbate food insecurity and affect livelihoods. On the other hand, western parts, including northern Uganda, western Kenya, northern Tanzania, southern Burundi, and parts of Rwanda, are predicted to receive above-normal rainfall, likely boosting agricultural productivity and water availability.

This forecast highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to mitigate the impacts of these climate extremes. Warmer-than-average temperatures are also expected across the region, with the highest probabilities in eastern Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia. In contrast, cooler conditions are anticipated in northern Tanzania and parts of Uganda, Kenya, and South Sudan. Experts, including IGAD's Executive Secretary Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, stress the importance of early warning systems and preparedness efforts to address the region's food security challenges and build resilience against the growing threat of climate change.

Read more on this link . 

The United States has committed $4.1 million (15 billion UGX) and 5,500 mpox tests to support Uganda's response to the Mpox outbreak. The funding will be channeled through various partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the University Research Collaborative (URC). Additionally, $1.7 million will support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in managing mpox screenings at Uganda’s border crossings, refugee settlements, and host communities. This effort is part of the broader U.S.-Uganda partnership to strengthen health systems and prevent the spread of the virus.

U.S. Ambassador William Popp emphasized the importance of a healthy Uganda, noting that the U.S. partnership aims to build Uganda’s long-term capacity to respond to health crises. The U.S. has a longstanding role in Uganda’s healthcare, having helped establish over 70 accredited laboratories since 2015. In refugee areas, the U.S. funds screening efforts and builds treatment centers, and U.S. agencies continue to assist Uganda's Emergency Operations Centers. For more details, read the full press release .

The UK has announced a significant package of support to help tackle the outbreaks of Mpox and Marburg virus in central Africa. This includes up to £9 million in funding to bolster efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda, and other affected countries. UK experts from the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team have been deployed to provide technical expertise to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, assisting in strengthening surveillance systems, healthcare services, and community awareness. Additionally, the UK is collaborating with Rwanda to support its response to the Marburg virus outbreak, mobilizing £1.9 million in aid to provide expertise and enhance outbreak management.

This assistance comes at a critical time, as Africa faces significant public health challenges from both diseases. The UK's partnership with organizations like UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Africa CDC aims to not only respond to these immediate threats but also build long-term resilience in healthcare systems across the region. The funds will contribute to saving lives, protecting vulnerable communities, and strengthening health systems to safeguard the continent against future outbreaks.

Read more on this link . 

East African Community Headquarters, Arusha, Tanzania, 4th October, 2024:  The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat has called for a swift and coordinated regional response to contain the ongoing Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak declared in Rwanda. The outbreak poses a serious threat to regional health security and requires urgent action from all EAC Partner States to prevent its spread across borders.

On the 27th September 2024 Rwanda’s Ministry of Health declared the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak and as of 30th September, 2024 there were 29 confirmed cases and 10 deaths with more than 297 contacts under close monitoring and healthcare workers have been disproportionately affected. The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about the potential regional spread of the disease due to confirmed cases in districts near the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, and Tanzania.

“There is an urgent need for a coordinated regional response to contain the spread of this highly infectious virus through swift identification, isolation, and treatment of cases and enhanced screening at borders and health facilities,” said Hon. Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, EAC Deputy Secretary General, in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social & Political sectors

He called for Partner States to strengthen their public awareness and infection control protocols including handwashing, avoiding physical contact with symptomatic individuals and surveillance at borders and health facilities.  Read more on this link

On 31 July 2024, the EAC, together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and GIZ, announced the successful conclusion of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Project in the region.
The US$2.5 million WASH project commenced in 2021 with the aim of strengthening the capacities of EAC Partner States to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases using hygiene measures, risk communication, and community sensitization.

The three-year project has achieved remarkable milestones, including the installation and renovation of 43 fixed handwashing facilities at the Points of Entry and border hotspots of all seven Partner States, namely Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania. Read more

On August 16, 2024, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) published a Rapid Risk Assessment for the EU/EEA regarding the Mpox epidemic caused by monkeypox virus clade I, with no change in risk levels or recommendations. An epidemiological update on August 26, 2024, reported a total of 102,977 confirmed Mpox cases globally since monitoring began in 2022, with 219 deaths. The majority of cases are from Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Africa CDC declared mpox a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security on August 13, 2024, and the WHO followed by declaring it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on August 14, 2024. The ECDC has issued additional recommendations for Substances of Human Origin (SoHO) professionals, advising careful screening of donors from affected regions and deferral guidelines for those exposed to Mpox.
Read more here

As Mpox cases surge in various African countries, the government has assured the public that all measures are being taken to control the virus if cases will occur in the country. On 19th August, 2024, the Ministry of Health updated the public on the threat of Mpox outbreak following the global upsurge of cases, including in some East African countries. Due to this threat the public was advised to take recommended precautions to protect themselves and prevent the disease from entering the country. "I would like to inform you that, until now, no patient has been proven to have Mpox infection in the country. The Ministry of Health continues to take the following measures to prevent Mpox from entering the country," said the statement signed by Tanzania's Minister for Health.

Full statement here

Kinshasa, 5 September 2024 – The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are pleased to announce the arrival of the first shipment of 99,100 doses of JYNNEOS mpox vaccine. This shipment is expected to launch a critical vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the rising epidemic in the Democtratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The vaccine doses were officially received by the Minister of Health of the Democtratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Samuel Roger Kamba, alongside H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Director General of Africa CDC, the UNICEF Representative in DRC, Grant Leaity, and the Director General of Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), Laurent Muschel. Read more.

The East African Community (EAC) Secretariat has called on EAC Partner States to educate their citizens on protecting themselves and preventing the spread of Mpox. This follows reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) that Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are experiencing an outbreak of the viral Mpox disease. Read more