London, May 11, 2018 (AltAfrika)-The World Health Organisation, WHO has released US$ 1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support response activities of the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC  for the next three months to assist cope with new Ebola outbreak

In a release sent to AlternativeAfrika.com, WHO said the immediate release of the was aimed at stopping the spread of Ebola to surrounding provinces and neighbouring countries

“WHO is closely working with other partners, including Médecins Sans Frontières, to ensure a strong, response to support the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to prevent and control the spreading of the disease from the epicentre of iIkoko Iponge Health Zone to save lives,” said Dr Allarangar Yokouide, WHO Representative in the DRC. was quoted as saying

Aside the emergency fund, WHO  says it also “plans to deploy epidemiologists, logisticians, clinicians, infection prevention and control experts, risk communications experts and vaccination support teams in the coming days. WHO will also be determining supply needs and help fill gaps, such as for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). WHO has also alerted neighbouring countries.

The latest outbreak is DRC’s ninth outbreak of EVD since the discovery of the virus in the country in 1976.

In the past five weeks, there have been 21 suspected viral haemorrhagic fever in and around the iIkoko Iponge, including 17 deaths.

“Our top priority is to get to Bikoro to work alongside the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and partners to reduce the loss of life and suffering related to this new Ebola virus disease outbreak,” said Dr Peter Salama, WHO Deputy Director-General, Emergency Preparedness and Response.