Could South Africa handle an Ebola outbreak? Inside the country's preparedness plan.
The Department of Health has ramped up its preparedness measures as a deadly Ebola outbreak continues to spread in Central Africa, with authorities working to ensure South Africa can detect and respond rapidly to any imported cases.
The latest Ebola outbreak has claimed 580 lives and infected more than 1,700 people, with cases confirmed in two countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the outbreak has been centred, and Uganda, which had reported imported cases linked to the crisis.
Caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, the outbreak has raised international concern because there are currently no licensed vaccines or specific treatments, leaving affected communities to rely largely on supportive medical care as health authorities race to contain its spread.
Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said South Africa has been closely monitoring the outbreak and its implications for South Africans who might have been working, studying, living in, or returning from the affected countries.
