Key facts
- Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are prompting reassessment of Asian border defenses.
- Concerns exist about the virus potentially spreading through regional airports before detection.
- Experts believe the risk of a major outbreak in Asia is low.
- The current situation highlights potential weaknesses in hospital readiness, contact tracing, and border surveillance systems due to post-Covid fatigue and strained global health funding.
The recent Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have prompted a critical review of public health preparedness across Asia. Governments in the region are examining their airport screening, contact tracing capabilities, and overall hospital readiness to detect and contain potential imported cases of the virus. While the immediate risk of a widespread outbreak in Asia is considered low by experts, the ongoing situation underscores the challenges faced by health systems globally, which have been strained by years of the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced funding. The scrutiny is particularly focused on whether these systems can effectively respond to emerging infectious diseases after a period of intense pressure.