Tuesday March 10, 2020
The United States is committed to supporting health security in Cameroon. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is present in Cameroon and coordinating with the Ministry of Public Health to help the country respond to the coronavirus outbreak and prevent further spread of infection. A recent contribution of $120,000 (close to 71 million CFA) and ongoing technical support to address the coronavirus outbreak comes on top of $45 million (26.5 billion CFA) of assistance since 2014 that has expanded the capacity of the health sector to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks. Cameroon’s Public Health Emergency Operation Center – established through support from the United States – has been activated to coordinate the coronavirus response, health officials trained through the U.S.-funded Field Epidemiology Training Program are conducting surveillance and case investigations, and U.S. support has increased capacity for laboratory diagnosis.
For individuals to contribute to preventing the spread of coronavirus and other respiratory infections: avoid close contact (within 2 meters) with people who appear sick; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces; and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. We encourage individuals who suspect they may be infected with Coronavirus to call the Ministry of Public Health’s toll-free hotline by dialing 1510 to receive advice about steps to take.