The Democratic Republic of Congo is once again at the forefront of a major public health crisis, as a new outbreak of Ebola takes hold in the region. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been working tirelessly with local authorities to contain the spread, and now the UK's Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST) is joining the effort.
Seven specialist experts from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) are being deployed to support the WHO field operations in Eastern DRC. This team will bring valuable expertise in infection prevention, epidemiology, and risk communication, as well as remote data modelling assistance. The specialists will work closely with local teams to track the outbreak, identify those at risk, and prevent further spread.
The UK-PHRST has a proven track record of supporting low- and middle-income countries in their fight against infectious diseases. Since its establishment following the 2014-2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak, the team has made over 50 deployments globally, including ten previous visits to Eastern DRC during the 2018-2019 North Kivu outbreak.
The deployment is part of a wider effort to strengthen global health security. In related news, UKHSA has announced a renewed partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to conduct applied research across Africa and Southeast Asia. This five-year programme, backed by £18 million in funding, will focus on epidemic readiness, detection, and response, as well as addressing key issues such as equity and gender in outbreak response, mental health support, and community engagement.
Jenny Chapman, Minister for Africa and International Development, has underscored the gravity of the situation. "Ebola is a devastating disease, and this latest outbreak is deeply concerning," she said. The UK's swift action to work with regional partners to save lives and prevent further spread is a testament to its commitment to global health security.