The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has called for solidarity, increased collaboration and strengthened cross-border surveillance following an imported case of Ebola virus disease in France.

The agency made the call in a statement on Thursday after a health worker who supported the Ebola response in Ituri developed symptoms after arriving in France and was quickly diagnosed.

“Africa CDC calls for continued vigilance, solidarity, and increased support for frontline teams committed to ending the outbreak. A humanitarian health worker who supported the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been diagnosed with Ebola virus disease in France,” the statement said.

According to the agency, health authorities in France and DRC informed Africa CDC of this confirmed case, caused by the Bundibugyo-type Ebola virus.

The CDC explained that the health professional supported the Ebola response in Ituri province from May 19 to June 19, noting he left the DRC in good health and went to France at the end of his mission.

“He then developed mild symptoms and consulted the health services. Laboratory tests confirmed infection with Bundibugyo-type Ebola virus. The risk of Ebola transmission begins after symptoms appear. The medical professional left the DRC without symptoms and met all applicable travel requirements,” it stated.

The agency disclosed that the Government of the DRC had put in place enhanced surveillance, health checks on entry and exit from the country, as well as border health measures as part of the Ebola response,

It stated that Jean Kaseya, Africa CDC’s director-general, met with the DRC’s health minister, the director of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, as well as the European commissioner for preparedness, crisis management and equality, Hadja Lahbib, to review the situation, strengthen coordination and align ongoing public health actions.

“This case illustrates the importance of strong oversight. I would like to thank this doctor, who served on the front lines in Ituri from May 19 to June 19, alongside the affected communities, with courage and dedication. Health workers are bearing the heaviest weight in this outbreak,” Mr Kaseya noted.

Noting that the right response today was based on vigilance, solidarity and increased support for the teams working to end Ebola at the source, the agency urged partners around the world to step up and help end this epidemic.

It also called on the international community to continue supporting the response and to reject measures lacking a scientific basis, including unnecessary restrictions on travel and trade, adding that these measures were slowing the deployment of response teams and the delivery of essential supplies, and weakening the public health response.