JOHANNESBURG - The South African Health Department is ramping up preparations to respond to a possible Ebola outbreak in the country.
This follows growing concern over the number of deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Deaths linked to the virus have risen to more than 500, with over 1,500 confirmed cases. There is currently no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently visited the DRC to demonstrate the African Union’s solidarity.
Ramaphosa pledged the support of both the AU and South Africa in responding to the Ebola outbreak.
Infectious disease specialist Dr Salim Abdool Karim says it is only a matter of time before a case reaches South Africa.
"We have selected hospitals that will be used in the case of an outbreak," said Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
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"We have 12 private hospitals and 24 public hospitals in the country ready," he adds.
Motsoaledi says three committees have been conducting readiness exercises, coordinating simulations and training health workers.
"We prepare ourselves with the assumption that the disease may come to any country," he says.