In response to the recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola is stepping up disease surveillance, prevention, and preparedness efforts, particularly in Lunda Norte province, which shares a border with the DRC.
A multidisciplinary team comprising experts from the National Directorate of Public Health, the National Institute for Health Research, WHO, and UNICEF visited key border crossings at Tchissanda, Fortuna, and Nachire. The team assessed and supported local health authorities in implementing preparedness measures while raising community awareness about Ebola, its symptoms, early reporting of suspected cases, and safety practices.
Training was provided on critical areas, including Ebola identification, infection prevention and control, active case finding, community and point-of-entry disease surveillance, sample collection and transport, and risk communication strategies to combat misinformation. A total of 140 officials, including health professionals, community mobilizers, police officers, and border authorities, participated in these sessions.
Dr. Eusébio Manuel, Head of the Department of Hygiene and Epidemiological Surveillance at Angola’s Ministry of Health, emphasized that the priority is early detection, proper case management, and protection of both communities and frontline health workers.
In addition, more than 150 traditional and religious leaders, midwives, hunters, and traditional healers from five municipalities in Lunda Norte took part in preparedness activities. These efforts aim to build community trust and align local response with municipal outbreak action plans for a coordinated and effective response.
Dr. Noémia Silva, WHO surveillance and immunization officer in Lunda Norte, noted, “Preparing now means saving lives later. Every trained official and every informed community increases Angola’s capacity to respond effectively if the virus crosses the border.”
WHO currently assesses the Ebola outbreak risk as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level, and low globally. The organization is working with national authorities in ten priority countries neighboring the DRC to conduct readiness assessments and contingency planning.
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