U.S. CDC expands partnership with Ethiopia to strengthen outbreak preparedness

Press Release

Addis Ababa, October 13, 2015 – The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has awarded funds to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), and American Society for Microbiology (ASM) to support the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA).  This investment will strengthen preparedness efforts to rapidly detect and respond to infectious diseases threats, such as Ebola and other emerging diseases.  Additionally, the activities will advance progress toward compliance with the International Health Regulations, a World Health Organization effort to improve emergency preparedness and response capabilities in all countries.

These partnerships illustrate commitment to GHSA in Ethiopia and the acceleration of progress toward a country and ultimately a world safe and secure from infectious disease threats.  “The recently released Health Sector Transformation Plan underscores how Ethiopia’s strategy aligns with GHSA, which is a strong indication that EPHI can make significant strides towards preparedness,” said CDC Ethiopia Country Director Jeffrey Hanson.

GHSA promotes global health security as a national priority through targeted capacity building activities, such as improving laboratory systems, strengthening surveillance systems, expanding workforce development, and improving emergency management.  In all, there are 12 GHSA Action Packages, with targets and milestones to address aspects of the human and animal health systems to prevent, detect and rapidly respond to biological threats, whether naturally occurring, intentional, or accidental.  The United States has also committed to helping at least 30 countries achieve all of capacity building targets of GHSA by the end of 2019 and is investing resources and technical assistance to attain this goal.

More information is available on CDC’s work on the Global Health Security Agenda.

or contact CDC Media Relations (404-639-3286 or Media@cdc.gov)

Source: Embassy of the United States, Addis Ababa