Abu dhabi: The European Commission, in collaboration with the European Health and Digital Executive Agency, has formalized an agreement to procure open-platform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests valued at £2.1 million. This initiative is aimed at addressing the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
According to Emirates News Agency, the PCR tests will be donated to the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Hub for Global Health Emergencies Logistics in Dubai, which will be responsible for orchestrating their distribution. These crucial diagnostic tests are set to begin their deliveries in August.
The deployment of PCR tests follows a recent agreement wherein the Commission procured £2.5 million worth of rapid molecular point-of-care tests and testing instruments intended for the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These tests are integral to outbreak response due to their high accuracy, extensive testing capacity, and compatibility with existing laboratory infrastructure. They ensure timely detection of Ebola cases, thereby enhancing outbreak control through effective identification, treatment, and isolation of infected patients, ultimately reducing virus transmission.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, emphasized the urgency of the response, stating, "In an outbreak every day counts. The faster we detect cases, the faster patients can receive treatment and the faster we can stop the virus from spreading. That is why Europe is acting, with £4.6 million in diagnostic tests and close cooperation with the WHO and Africa CDC. Health threats do not stop at borders. Neither can our response."
In a broader context, the Commission has mobilized £493 million in emergency aid, vaccines, treatment, and health security initiatives within the Great Lakes and Uganda region. Currently, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the risk of Ebola to people in Europe as very low.