Uganda on Monday deployed a team of health workers to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to help contain the Ebola outbreak in the neighbouring country.

Diana Atwine, permanent secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, made the remarks during a meeting with visiting World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus in Kampala.

Ms Atwine said Uganda is also setting up 50-bed treatment units this week to support Ebola response efforts in eastern DRC, the epicentre of the current outbreak.

She added that two mobile laboratories had already been established in the border towns of Bwera and Arua to support Ebola testing and diagnostic services in the DRC.

Mr Ghebreyesus commended Uganda’s commitment to responding to Ebola and expressed confidence in the country’s ability to manage the disease.

The WHO chief, who is visiting Uganda to support the country’s Ebola response, urged Uganda to continue supporting the DRC’s efforts to contain the outbreak.

According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Health, Uganda has recorded 19 confirmed Ebola cases so far, including 14 among people who entered from the DRC and five Ugandan nationals.

Of the total cases, two people from the DRC have died.

 (Xinhua/NAN)