UK statement on the re-emergence of Ebola in Guinea

Following the re-emergence of Ebola in Guinea, FCDO Minister for Africa, James Duddridge MP, said:

The United Kingdom is deeply concerned to hear that cases of Ebola have recently been confirmed in the Forest Region of Guinea, including a number of deaths, since the last documented cases in 2016.

We welcome the quick mobilisation of the Government of Guinea, World Health Organisation and other UN agencies, International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) and the Red Cross Society of Guinea and the many other organisations delivering emergency response.

The UK is already extending support to the Ebola outbreak in Guinea in several ways. The UK contributes to a number of pooled funds which have all mobilised to respond to the outbreak; these include the UN Central Emergency Response Fund of which the UK is the largest single donor, the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies, and the IFRC Disaster Relief Emergency Fund.

Furthermore, the UK is also a major donor to Gavi, the vaccine alliance, which is providing Ebola vaccines and supporting ultra-cold chain capacity. FCDO and the Department of Health and Social Care have adjusted programmes in neighbouring countries to enhance preparedness and surveillance activities. This includes in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali through the Tackling Deadly Diseases in Africa Programme and in Sierra Leone through the International Health Regulations strengthening programme.

It is more important than ever that we work together to end this deadly outbreak.