• Home
  • Blog
  • Newsroom
  • Publications
  • Jobs
  • Get involved
  • Contact us
Search main website

PATHPATH

Driving transformative innovation to save lives

  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Where we work
  • Resources
About giving »
Donate now »

Announcement

PATH statement on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Contact: Kate Davidson | (206) 302-4637 | media@path.org

Late last week, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health (MOH) announced an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the remote northern region of the country.

While the extent of the outbreak is not yet clear, several fatalities have been reported. PATH is working in close collaboration with the DRC MOH, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners to mobilize a rapid response to the outbreak.

PATH’s role in the response builds on our efforts since late 2016 to support the DRC government to strengthen the country’s disease surveillance, and laboratory and health information systems. This work, funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), leverages PATH’s experience in health system strengthening and deep country connections to build the DRC’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to disease outbreaks.

As part of this effort, PATH is helping to establish the DRC’s first emergency operations center scheduled to open later this year. It will serve to coordinate prevention, detection, and rapid response teams for public health emergencies such as the Ebola outbreak.

A statement from PATH President and CEO Steve Davis follows:

“In a fast-moving public health emergency like this, a rapid response is critical to contain and control the outbreak. Our thoughts are with the individuals, families, and communities directly affected by this outbreak and with the many dedicated health workers who have responded to it so quickly.

Together with key partners like WHO, CDC, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the University of California, Los Angeles-DRC Research program, PATH was one of the first organizations on the ground to respond to this outbreak with technologies, data, and support for the DRC government, which is leading the response.

Working closely with the Ministry, PATH has quickly mobilized support for disease surveillance and outbreak response efforts, created data-sharing procedures, and provided immediate funding so the Ministry could deploy a team of investigators to the affected area.

Within 24 hours of learning about the outbreak, PATH also mobilized a cross-sector group of international partners to support the government with high-resolution satellite imagery, geospatial mapping capabilities, GPS-enabled smart phones, and other tools to help map and investigate the outbreak.

Improving epidemic preparedness and prevention are urgent priorities in our increasingly interconnected world. Heading off outbreaks before they become epidemics or pandemics depends on our ability to connect innovation end to end—from research and development of new vaccines, diagnostics, and other tools to the logistic capabilities critical to delivering innovative health solutions where they are needed.

America’s leadership in international health security is vital to preventing and containing future threats. Continued US investment in epidemic preparedness protects the health and safety of Americans as well as citizens of other nations.

PATH remains committed to doing all we can to support the DRC, and we urge other governments, international organizations, and the private sector to join with the DRC government on a coordinated response to stop this outbreak as quickly as possible.”

Learn more about the response of PATH and our partners in this blog post, which will be updated as the situation evolves.

About PATH

PATH is the leader in global health innovation. An international nonprofit organization, we save lives and improve health, especially among women and children. We accelerate innovation across five platforms—vaccines, drugs, diagnostics, devices, and system and service innovations—that harness our entrepreneurial insight, scientific and public health expertise, and passion for health equity. By mobilizing partners around the world, we take innovation to scale, working alongside countries primarily in Africa and Asia to tackle their greatest health needs. Together, we deliver measurable results that disrupt the cycle of poor health. Learn more at www.path.org.

About PATH’s work in the DRC

PATH has worked in the DRC since 2009 in collaboration with the government, the private sector, community-based organizations, and other partners. Together, we are helping the country address some of its toughest health challenges, including HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases, such as human African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, as well as reproductive, maternal, and child health. Learn more at www.path.org/our-work/drcongo.php.

Posted May 17, 2017.

Newsroom

  • Latest news
  • Browse news from PATH
  • Press coverage about PATH
  • Fast facts
  • Experts available

Search the newsroom

Find out more

  • About PATH
  • Our global expertise
  • Frequently asked questions
  • PATH blog
  • Finances
  • Events

Share this page

Get updates

Enter your email address for news and updates from PATH. Also, see the topic-specific newsletters we offer.

Connect

  • Get involved
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Contact

About

  • Our story
  • Leadership
  • Finances
  • Where we work
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Press releases

Explore

  • PATH Blog
  • Multimedia
  • Stories
  • Publications
  • Programs and projects
  • The Vaccine Resource Library
  • Jobs

Donate

  • Donate now
  • Why give?
  • Planned giving
  • Good stewardship
Charity Navigator logo with additional label, ‘13 years at four stars!’
  • Home
  • Current RFPs
  • Privacy policy
  • Copyright policy
  • Terms of use

© 1995–2018, PATH

PATH

PATH Home

About PATH

  • About us
  • Four decades of innovation
  • The birth of PATH
  • Finances
  • FAQs

Leadership

  • Executive leaders
  • Board of directors
  • Program leaders
  • Shared services leaders

How we work

  • Corporate partnerships
  • Leadership councils
  • Global Health Innovation Hub
  • Accountability

Impact

  • Annual reports
  • Stories from the field
  • Awards and honors

Featured

Stylized treatment of the number 40.

Celebrating 40 years of innovation to save lives

Close menu

Our areas of expertise

  • Advocacy and policy
  • Applied behavioral communication
  • Devices
  • Diagnostics
  • Digital health solutions
  • Diarrheal disease and pneumonia
  • Drugs
  • Epidemic and emerging diseases
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Malaria
  • Market dynamics
  • Monitoring and evaluation
  • Neglected tropical diseases
  • Noncommunicable diseases
  • Nutrition
  • Reproductive health
  • Safe birth and newborn care
  • System and service innovations
  • Tuberculosis
  • Vaccines
  • Water, air, sanitation, and hygiene
  • Women's cancers

Featured

Man holding Sayana Press.

Sayana Press injectable contraceptive

Close menu

Global reach

  • Our global expertise
  • Belgium
  • China
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • India
  • Kenya
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Peru
  • Senegal
  • South Africa
  • Switzerland
  • Tanzania
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • Vietnam
  • Zambia

Featured

Illustration of a globe.

Explore our expertise around the world

Close menu

For our colleagues

  • PATH programs
  • Publications
  • Vaccine Resource Library
  • Online resources

Other resources

  • Jobs
  • Get involved
  • Newsroom
  • Contact us

Featured

Gloved hands hold a prototype of the new SD BIOLINE Onchocerciasis IgG4 rapid test.

One-stop-shop for vaccine and immunization resources

Close menu

PATH Blog

Newsroom

Jobs

About giving

Contact us