KAMPALA, July 1 – The United Nations has warned that the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa could cost the continent as much as $3.6 billion and lead to the loss of about 328,000 jobs if the disease spreads beyond the countries currently affected.
The outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there is no approved vaccine or treatment, has infected 1,307 people and claimed 377 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo since it was declared on May 15, according to the country’s government.
A smaller number of infections have also been reported in Uganda, while health experts continue to monitor the risk of the virus spreading to neighbouring countries, including South Sudan.
The warning comes from a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which says the economic impact will depend largely on how quickly the outbreak is contained. Under its most favourable scenario, where infections remain limited to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, the outbreak would reduce Congo’s gross domestic product by about $1 billion.
However, the report says the situation could become far more costly if the virus spreads to more countries, including Rwanda and Angola, while higher fuel prices linked to the Iran crisis put additional pressure on African economies.
“If we have the resources and we step up, we can contain this outbreak and prevent further losses,” said Damien Mama, the UNDP Resident Representative in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He warned that without a stronger response, the health emergency could grow into a wider development crisis with economic consequences across the region and the rest of the continent.
