WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is intensifying support to countries across the Americas, including the Caribbean, to strengthen preparedness for Ebola.

This follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern related to the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. It is aimed at ensuring readiness for any potential imported case.

PAHO said that while the risk of Ebola in the Americas remains low and no cases have been reported in the region, it has activated its Incident Management System to coordinate regional preparedness efforts.

The health organization said it is working with ministries of health to reinforce surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, infection prevention and control, and operational coordination, “so countries can rapidly detect, isolate and care for people with suspected infection.”

“Countries in the Americas are not currently affected by Ebola, and the risk to the region remains low, but preparedness is our strongest tool to reduce risks and ensure a timely response,” said Director of Health Emergencies at PAHO, Dr Ciro Ugarte. “Even with low risk, countries must be ready to detect and respond quickly to any possible importation to protect health workers and communities, and to prevent further transmission,” Ugarte added.

PAHO has shared that it is collaborating with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), a WHO-coordinated network of technical institutions and partners for international outbreak response, in convening regional technical exchanges to support national preparedness efforts.

A technical session, organised by PAHO’s Emergency Operations Centre and held on June 3, brought together 394 participants from 30 countries across the region, including national professionals involved in Ebola preparedness and response and representatives from GOARN partner institutions in the Americas.

Participants reviewed key preparedness actions, including laboratory diagnosis and biosafety, clinical management, infection prevention and control, medical evacuation, and safe and dignified burials.

A follow-up session on Wednesday,  will bring together ministries of health and GOARN partners from the Americas to discuss the GOARN network, including opportunities to receive international technical support and to deploy national experts from the region to support outbreak responses.