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With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and South Sudan have agreed to establish a joint surveillance and rapid response system to proactively prevent the cross-border transmission of the Ebola virus. This initiative links real-time epidemiological information sharing with multi-faceted screening measures to prevent the spread of infection caused by the movement of residents and refugees in border areas adjacent to the outbreak zones.
Ebola Situation in Haut-Uélé, DRC and the Geographical Risk of the Aba Region
According to an announcement by the WHO Regional Office for Africa on October 22, 2026, the Ebola outbreak continues in the Haut-Uélé province of the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As of October 17, 408 cumulative cases and 176 deaths have been reported across seven of the 13 health zones in the province. The Aba health zone, located approximately 436 km from the provincial capital of Isiro, has not reported any confirmed cases to date. However, due to its proximity to Yei River County in South Sudan, it has been classified as a high-risk area for virus introduction and cross-transmission.
The Aba region is home to over 26,000 South Sudanese refugees, including those in the Méri camp located just 18 km from the South Sudanese border, leading to frequent movement and commercial activity between the two countries. Dr. Patrick Banza Piongo, the Provincial Health Director for Haut-Uélé, explained that given the high volume of traffic between Aba and the Yei region, a consistent surveillance system and immediate cooperation are essential to stop the disease from crossing the border.
Establishing a Border Prevention Roadmap Focused on Weekly Data Sharing and Joint Investigation
Health officials from both countries held a joint meeting in Aba to finalize a roadmap for border prevention. Key pillars of this roadmap include real-time disease surveillance data exchange, weekly risk communication and monitoring report sharing, joint epidemiological investigations upon suspicion of infection, and the standardization of infection prevention messaging for border populations.
Dr. Simon Sebit Yatoma, medical lead for Yei River County, South Sudan, highlighted the geographical proximity to the DRC—where the virus is currently spreading—and emphasized that since the Ebola virus does not respect borders, proactive prevention and unified efforts are the cornerstones of eliminating the disease. Both authorities plan to operate a weekly, regular information-sharing channel to immediately identify signs of an outbreak.
Three-Tier Screening Mechanism at Border Checkpoints and Operational Status
The screening system installed at border crossings operates via a three-tier prevention mechanism designed to detect and isolate suspected cases at an early stage. The primary control procedures for cross-border travelers are as follows:
- Hand hygiene and temperature screening: Basic sanitary measures and temperature checks for all inbound travelers and residents.
- Symptom surveys and information gathering: Verifying symptoms and collecting contact information for epidemiological investigation.
- Temporary isolation and rapid response team coordination: Isolating suspected cases in designated spaces followed by sample collection and rigorous testing.
Currently, five out of the 11 planned border control points in the Aba health zone have been established and have begun real-time screening. Local community and refugee leaders, including Cosmas Sandani Lasuba, representative of the Méri refugee camp, are actively involved in raising awareness and guiding residents on hygiene practices such as hand washing and physical distancing.
Infrastructure Challenges: PPE Shortages and Lack of Transport
Despite the implementation of the joint surveillance system, infrastructure and supply shortages remain a significant hurdle. In the Aba response area, personal protective equipment (PPE) for medical staff and quarantine personnel is in critically short supply, and the capacity of isolation facilities for suspected cases is nearing its limit.
A major vulnerability is the complete lack of dedicated ambulances to transport suspected patients to diagnostic or treatment facilities. In response, the DRC Ministry of Health and its partners are conducting on-site assessments and preparing supplementary measures to inject funding and supplies to address gaps in equipment and transportation systems.
WHO Regional Support and Future Priorities
Dr. Marie Roseline Bélizaire, Emergency Preparedness and Response Lead at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, evaluated this regional collaboration as a critical mechanism to protect the safety of border populations. The WHO is currently strengthening comprehensive preparedness across all countries neighboring the DRC that are at high risk of Ebola virus introduction.
The WHO support program includes assessments of host capacity, strengthening disease surveillance networks, training in contact tracing and epidemiological investigation techniques, expanding diagnostic laboratory capacity, preparing dedicated treatment facilities, and providing group training for medical personnel. Both health authorities plan to continuously review operational manuals and prioritize the opening of the remaining six border checkpoints and the expansion of transport infrastructure as their next practical tasks.