By Jeff Brumley
Aggressive measures are being taken to prevent the spread of Ebola to South Africa as plans continue to hold the 21st Baptist World Congress in Durban in 2015, the Baptist World Alliance said.
“We are especially pleased that South Africa remains Ebola free and note that the local health authorities have vigorously implemented a carefully designed program to prevent the entrance of Ebola within the country’s borders,” the alliance said in a statement. “The South African leaders remain vigilant even though their country is several thousand miles/kilometers away from those countries that have been affected by Ebola.”
BWA said it has been closely monitoring — and praying about — the spread of the disease in West Africa. Alliance partners are working to provide assistance.
As of September, more than 1,000 hotel rooms had been reserved as Baptists from around the globe continued to use the early bird registration discount for the event, BWA said.
The organization asked for prayers for the Congress organizers and for all those effected by the African Ebola outbreak.
“We are heartened by the efforts being made to contain the spread of the disease and are thankful for the progress being made in Sierra Leone and Guinea.”
The statement was issued before Ebola cases were reported in the United States. BWA did thank the U.S. government for getting involved in the Ebola eradication effort in Liberia.