African Union pledges $1 million to combat Ebola spread

The African Union (AU) Commission has pledged $1million to support global efforts to to contain the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

“The African Union Commission is committed to ensure that measures are put in place to prevent the further spread of the epidemic,” AU Commissioner for Social Affairs, Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, said.

The remarks come as the AU has called for urgent intensification of surveillance systems as well as community education programs in order to combat the spread of Ebola virus.

The 54-member bloc will also hold an emergency health ministerial meeting next month to replenish the AU Special Emergency Fund for Drought and Famine, which also covers public health.

The meeting will also call upon AU member states to sponsor African Public Health Emergency Fund in a bid to support Ebola-affected countries.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders says the Ebola epidemic is moving faster than authorities can handle and it could take six months to bring under control.

According to the World Health Organization, Ebola has already killed 1,145 people in West Africa; namely, 413 in Liberia, 380 in Guinea, 348 in Sierra Leone and four in Nigeria.

There is currently no known cure for Ebola, which is a form of hemorrhagic fever with diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding as its symptoms.

Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are grappling with Ebola, which has also spread to Nigeria. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infected blood, feces or sweat.