South Sudan Extends Ebola Preparedness Operation as Regional Outbreak Threat Persists

The South Sudan Red Cross Society (SSRC) has extended its Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak preparedness operation until 31 October 2026, citing the continued risk of cross-border transmission from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

Supported by a CHF 48,810 allocation from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), the five-month operation aims to strengthen the country’s readiness to detect and respond to a potential Ebola outbreak in high-risk border areas.

Although South Sudan has not recorded any confirmed BVD cases, health authorities say the country remains at high risk due to porous borders, frequent cross-border movement, humanitarian displacement, and ongoing trade with neighboring DRC and Uganda, where the outbreak continues to spread. To date, 26 suspected cases investigated in South Sudan have all tested negative.

The preparedness operation targets 500,000 people across eight high-risk locations, including Juba, Nimule, Yei, Kaya, Morobo, Maridi, Yambio, and Kajokeji. Activities focus on community surveillance, risk communication, infection prevention and control, safe and dignified burial preparedness, and strengthening coordination with the Ministry of Health and humanitarian partners.

According to the operational update, SSRC has participated in national and technical coordination meetings while supporting the development of public awareness materials and radio messages on Ebola preparedness. However, delays in the international shipment of Safe and Dignified Burial (SDB) kits prompted the extension of the operation to allow completion of planned activities.

The South Sudan Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and other partners, has intensified surveillance at border crossings, activated rapid response teams, strengthened laboratory readiness, and expanded public awareness campaigns to reduce the risk of virus importation.

The IFRC said continued investment in preparedness is critical to preventing a major public health emergency, particularly in border communities where weak health systems, limited water and sanitation services, and high population mobility increase the risk of disease transmission.