By Zoila Palma: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has elevated its response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Level 1, its highest emergency activation level, citing growing concern over the rapid spread of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.
Despite the heightened response, the CDC said the risk of Ebola spreading within the United States remains low.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak has infected more than 1,200 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, resulting in 321 deaths.
An additional 20 cases have been confirmed in neighboring Uganda, making it the largest first-month total recorded for any Ebola outbreak.
The CDC said the Level 1 designation is reserved for the most severe public health emergencies and allows the agency to assign its largest possible workforce to the response.
The CDC has deployed 19 staff members overseas to support more than 125 personnel already working in its Congo and Uganda country offices. Teams are assisting local health ministries with data analysis, airport exit screenings, laboratory support and training.
The agency has also trained 25 local field epidemiologists to operate in areas inaccessible to CDC staff and is providing financial assistance to partners responding to the outbreak. Last week, the CDC announced $107 million in emergency funding to strengthen response efforts.
The post International News: U.S. CDC raises Ebola response to highest emergency level appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has elevated its response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Level 1, its highest emergency activation level, citing growing concern over the rapid spread of the Bundibugyo strain of the virus. Despite the heightened response, the CDC said
The post International News: U.S. CDC raises Ebola response to highest emergency level appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.