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The United States has pledged $13.5 million to support Kenya’s Ebola preparedness efforts as the outbreak in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread, the State Department said on Thursday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the response with Kenyan President William Ruto in a phone call, according to a readout issued by spokesperson Tommy Pigott.
The two leaders discussed “coordinated efforts to secure vital medical supplies for Kenya and ensure the strength and preparedness of Kenya’s health system,” the statement read.
The United States has already committed $112 million in bilateral assistance to the regional Ebola response, the State Department said.
The call comes as the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola has claimed more than 160 lives in the DRC, with cases also reported in Uganda. Kenya has not yet recorded any cases but shares borders with both affected countries.
The State Department said the United States’ “highest priority remains protecting the health and security of the American people by working to prevent the Ebola outbreak from reaching our shores.”
Rubio and Ruto agreed “to maintain close coordination as the situation evolves and to continue leveraging the strong U.S.-Kenya health partnership,” the readout said.
The World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. No approved vaccine exists for the Bundibugyo strain.
