UK deploys public health team to support Ebola outbreak response
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is deploying a public health team to support the Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring regions, with a focus on infection prevention, epidemiology, and community engagement. The UK has committed up to £21 million to the effort, while the Royal College of Nursing warns of risks to healthcare workers due to shortages of supplies and PPE in affected areas.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has deployed a team of public health specialists to assist with the Ebola outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding regions. The UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), consisting of seven experts from UKHSA and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), will provide on-the-ground support in infection prevention, epidemiology, and risk communication. Four specialists will work in Eastern DRC alongside the World Health Organization (WHO), while others will be stationed in Kinshasa and the Republic of Congo to strengthen regional coordination. The deployment follows a surge in cases, with over 1,000 suspected infections and more than 200 deaths reported in DRC and Uganda, primarily involving the Bundibugyo strain. The UKHSA has urged UK healthcare professionals to consider Ebola in patients with fever histories of recent travel from DRC or Uganda within the past 21 days. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has warned that nursing staff in affected areas face heightened risks due to shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and essential supplies. The UK government has pledged up to £21 million to support the DRC’s government-led response, emphasizing local leadership and global health security. Minister for Africa and International Development Jenny Chapman stated the team’s expertise in infection control, community engagement, and data modeling reflects the UK’s commitment to combating the outbreak. The UK-PHRST was established after the 2014–2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak and operates under the Department of Health and Social Care’s Official Development Assistance budget. The team’s deployment includes specialists in epidemiology, risk communication, and infection prevention, with additional remote support from a data modeling expert. The UKHSA’s intervention aims to bolster the existing response, reduce transmission risks, and protect vulnerable communities. The crisis has underscored the need for coordinated international efforts to prevent further spread and mitigate the impact on healthcare systems in the region.
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