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DR Congo - Ebola outbreak confirmed May 2018 (May - July 25, 2018)

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  • #91
    Translation Google
    ECHOS EBOLA RDC 2018
    EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
    Wednesday 13 June 2018

    The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated June 12, 2018 :
    • A total of 66 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, including 38 confirmed, 14 probable and 14 suspected .
    • 10 new suspected cases, including 4 in Bikoro, 2 in Iboko and 4 Wangata
    • No deaths reported so far
    • No new cases confirmed
    Epidemiological analyzes have identified contacts living in nearby health areas in Bikoro and Iboko. These contacts are followed and advised to limit their movements during the entire follow-up period of 21 days.


    Remarks
    • Negative tests are systematically removed from the summary table.
    • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation.
    News from the Ebola response

    Vaccination
    • Since the launch of the vaccination on May 21, 2,633 people have been vaccinated, including 793 in Mbandaka, 583 in Bikoro, 1,222 in Iboko, 30 in Ingende and 5 in Kinshasa.
    • The 5 people vaccinated in Kinshasa are caregivers of the emergency response team of the Ministry of Health who will soon be deployed in Ebola-affected areas to replace one of the on-site teams.

    International collaboration
    • The Association of Chinese Enterprises wanted to contribute to the government's response to Ebola by offering the Ministry of Health a lot of medical equipment for the surveillance teams. This lot of equipment includes laser thermometers and protective equipment.
    • The Japanese Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, HE Hiroshi Karube, presented this Wednesday, May 13, 2018, the Japanese team of experts who will collaborate with the General Directorate of Fight against Disease as part of the government response against Ebola. This team will intervene in the areas of epidemiological surveillance at points of entry and the strengthening of mobile laboratories.

    PHOTO OF THE DAY
    A clinical psychologist from the Ministry of Health's National Mental Health Program trains Red Cross volunteers in Itipo on the psycho-social support of the community during an Ebola outbreak
    ...
    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

    Comment


    • #92
      Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/13-june-2018-ebola-drc/en/
      Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

      Disease outbreak news
      13 June 2018

      Since the first Disease Outbreak News on 10 May 2018 through 12 June, the primary focus of the response to Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has shifted from the urban areas of Equateur Province to remote and difficult to reach places. This shift has come after a series of concerted actions and effective measures implemented by the Ministry of Health, WHO and partners.
      The first stage of the EVD response focused on protecting the populated town of Bikoro and the city of Mbandaka from increases in cases, which could potentially threaten major cities in the country as well as its neighbours along the river. The next stage is focused on implementing expeditionary surveillance, tracking the contacts and engaging communities in remote areas, including indigenous populations in and around the villages of Itipo and Iboko in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
      Since 17 May 2018, no new confirmed EVD cases have been reported in Bikoro and Wangata health zones, while the last confirmed case-patient in Iboko developed symptoms on 2 June 2018 (Figure 1).
      From 1 April through 10 June 2018, a total of 55 EVD cases1, including 28 deaths, have been reported from three health zones in Equateur Province. The total includes 38 confirmed, 14 probable and three suspected cases from the three health zones: Bikoro (n=22; 10 confirmed, 11 probable and one suspected cases), Iboko (n=29; 24 confirmed, three probable and two suspected cases) and Wangata (n=4; four confirmed) (Figure 2). The median age of cases was 41 years (range: 8 years?80 years) and 31 (60%) were male (Figure 3). Five cases among health care workers have been reported. As of 10 June 2018, a total of 634 contacts remain under active follow up.
      Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by date of illness onset from 4 April through 10 June 2018 (n=52)




      Figure 2: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ebola cases per Health Zone in Equateur province from 4 April through 10 June 2018




      Figure 3: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by age and sex from 4 April through 10 June 2018 (n=51)




      Age is unknown for one case.
      Public health response

      The Ministry of Health (MoH) is leading the response in the affected health zones with support from WHO and partners. Priorities include the strengthening of surveillance and contract tracing, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control (IPC), case management, community engagement, safe and dignified burials, response coordination and vaccination. Additionally, to avoid the spread of the disease from affected provinces to non-affected provinces and to other countries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has put into place cross-border surveillance at points of entry (neighbouring, at-risk zones, provinces, countries, and at important travellers? congregation points). WHO continues to work closely with the Ministries of Health from nine neighbouring countries to strengthen preparedness in order to mitigate the risk of international spread.
      • On 11 June 2018, the Director-General (DG) of WHO and the Minister of Health visited Itipo health area in Iboko Health Zone to support response operations.
      • Since the launch of the vaccination intervention on 21 May through 10 June, a total of 2295 people have been vaccinated in Wangata (713), Iboko (1054) and Bikoro (498). Populations eligible for ring vaccination are front-line health professionals, people who have been exposed to confirmed EVD cases (contacts) and contacts of contacts.
      • Early Warning, Alert and Response (EWAR) Systems and supporting electronic field data collection tools have been deployed at strategic sites to support these activities.
      • In the past week, the Ministry of Health, UNICEF and WHO have trained more than 60 Congolese army personnel, 65 female leaders, 50 provincial and Pygmy leaders and 100 youth leaders in Mbandaka, Bikoro and Iboko on EVD prevention.
      • Anthropological assessments and knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) surveys are being conducted in 11 villages in Itipo. Social mobilization and community dialogue activities are ongoing in villages in Itipo, Besefe and Loondo.
      • Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) has established isolation facilities in Mbandaka?s main hospital (20 beds) and Bikoro hospital (15 beds). Two Ebola treatment centres (ETC) are being set up in Iboko and Itipo.
      • Case management and IPC activities continue to be scaled up with the establishment, stocking and staffing of ETCs within affected areas. WHO is coordinating the deployment of multiple medical teams to support the ETCs, case referral systems and to support health facilities to remain open for non-Ebola care.
      • As of 12 June 2018, WHO has deployed a total of 271 technical experts in various critical functions of the Incident Management System (IMS) to support response to the EVD outbreak, including 37 experts from the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) partner institutions. A WHO anthropologist and risk communication experts have trained Ebola responders on community engagement, including safe burial and contact tracing.
      • As of 12 June 2018, 26 countries have implemented entry screening for international travellers coming from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, there are currently no restrictions of international travel in place. WHO continues to monitor travel and trade measures in relation to this event.
      • In collaboration with WHO, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Africa Centre for Disease Control and other partners, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has developed a comprehensive strategic response plan for points of entry (PoEs). The goal is to avoid the spread of the disease to other provinces and at the international level. A total of 30 points of entry (port and airports)and sites of congregations (markets, schools, churches and parking lot) were identified along three cordon sanitaires, including Mbandaka, Bikoro, Iboko, Ntonde, Igende, Equateur Province, Kinshasa and Kisangani areas2.
      • Since 6 June 2018, the Democratic Republic of the Congo`s sub-commission on surveillance of POEs, continues to meet daily in order to review and strengthen screening and sensitization of EVD in the key 30 prioritized sites, including ports on the Congo river, Kinshasa international and Mbandaka airports.
      • The WHO Regional Strategic Plan for EVD Operational Readiness and Preparedness has been developed by WHO with Member States and partners. Phase I of the plan aims to be implemented in the next three months to enhance the capacities of the countries to respond should there be any importation of EVD cases. Phase II aims to scale up the preparedness actions to ensure sustainability of the operational readiness capacities linking to the ongoing longer term emergency preparedness and implementation of IHR core capacities.

      WHO risk assessment

      WHO considers the public health risk to be very high at the national level due to the serious nature of the disease, insufficient epidemiological information and the delay in the detection of initial cases, which makes it difficult to assess the magnitude and geographical extent of the outbreak.
      WHO has assessed the public health risk to be high at the regional level. Nine neighbouring countries, including the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, have been advised that they are at high risk of spread, and preparedness activities are being undertaken.
      At the global level the risk currently remains low. This risk assessment is continuously being reviewed as further information becomes available.
      WHO advice

      The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee was convened by the WHO Director-General on 18 May 2018, and advised against the application of any travel or trade restrictions to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in relation to the current Ebola outbreak. Flight cancellations and other travel restrictions may hinder the international public health response and may cause significant economic damage to the affected country. The Emergency Committee also advised that exit screening, including at airports and ports on the Congo river, is considered to be of great importance. However, entry screening, particularly in distant airports, is not considered to be of any public health or cost-benefit value. Although the Emergency Committee stated that the conditions for a PHEIC are not currently met, the Committee issued comprehensive public health advice3.
      WHO travel advice was issued on 29 May 20184, aiming to sensitize travellers on how to reduce the risk of exposure and where to obtain appropriate medical assistance in case of EVD like symptoms after possible exposure , considering the risk of an international traveller becoming infected with Ebola virus during a visit to the affected areas and developing disease after returning is low, even if the visit included travel to areas where primary cases have been reported. In addition WHO in collaboration with transport and travel partners (ICAO, IATA) are working together to increase travellers? awareness, vigilance on board of conveyances and points of entry and stress on the importance of establishing and maintaining a public health emergency contingency plan at POE in a multisectoral approach, pursuant to the IHR requirement.

      1The total number of cases is subject to change due to ongoing reclassification, retrospective investigation, and availability of laboratory results. Data reported in the Disease Outbreak News are official information reported by the Ministry of Health.
      2Measures implemented at these strategic points include 1) raising awareness of travellers/ population on how to avoid exposure to Ebola virus and what to do in case of EVD like symptoms, 2) detecting and managing possible EVD cases (temperature checks, health declaration form, alert, investigation and referral procedures, 3) any person with an illness consistent with EVD should not be allowed to travel unless the travel is part of an appropriate medical evacuation, 4) provision of hand hygiene and sanitation materials.
      3http://www.who.int/news-room/detail/18-05-2018-statement-on-the-1st-meeting-of-the-ihr-emergency-committee-regarding-the-ebola-outbreak-in-2018
      4http://www.who.int/ith/evd-travel-advice-final-29-05-2018-final.pdf?ua=1

      Comment


      • #93
        ECHOS EBOLA RDC 2018
        EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
        Thursday, June 14, 2018

        The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated June 13, 2018 :
        • A total of 66 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, including 38 confirmed, 14 probable and 14 suspected .
        • 11 new suspected cases, including 1 in Bikoro, 4 in Iboko, 1 Wangata and 5 in Ingende
        • 11 samples were negative
        • 24 people have been cured of Ebola Virus Disease since the beginning of the epidemic
        • No deaths reported so far
        • No new cases confirmed
        Epidemiological analyzes have identified contacts living in nearby health areas in Bikoro and Iboko. These contacts are followed and advised to limit their movements during the entire follow-up period of 21 days.


        Remarks
        • Negative tests are systematically removed from the summary table.
        • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation.
        News from the Ebola response

        Vaccination
        • Since the launch of the vaccination on May 21, 2,730 people have been vaccinated, including 813 in Mbandaka, 660 in Bikoro, 1,222 in Iboko, 30 in Ingende and 5 in Kinshasa.

        Follow-up of contacts
        • Since the beginning of the epidemic, 1,706 contacts of confirmed Ebola cases have been identified in the 4 health zones of Bikoro, Iboko, Wangata and Ntondo.
        • The 21-day observation period, corresponding to the incubation period of the virus, of the 791 contacts registered at Bikoro is over. However, fieldwork continues to detect and locate new suspicious alerts and cases.

        PHOTO OF THE DAY
        Release of the first Ebola cure from the transit center in Itipo. He is the only infected patient who was cured before being transferred to the Bikoro Ebola Treatment Center.
        ...
        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
        -Nelson Mandela

        Comment


        • #94
          Translation Google
          ECHOS EBOLA RDC 2018
          EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
          Monday 18 June 2018

          The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated June 17, 2018 :
          • A total of 62 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, including 38 confirmed, 14 probable and 10 suspected .
          • 1 new suspicious case in Iboko
          • 3 samples were negative
          • 24 people have been cured of Ebola Virus Disease since the beginning of the epidemic
          • No deaths reported so far
          • No new cases confirmed
          Epidemiological analyzes have identified contacts living in nearby health areas in Bikoro and Iboko. These contacts are followed and advised to limit their movements during the entire follow-up period of 21 days.


          Remarks
          • Negative tests are systematically removed from the summary table.
          • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation.
          News from the Ebola response

          Vaccination
          • No vaccination activity this Sunday, June 17th, 2018.
          • Since the launch of the vaccination on May 21, 3,017 people have been vaccinated, including 829 in Mbandaka, 726 in Bikoro, 1,374 in Iboko, 77 in Ingende and 11 in Kinshasa.

          ...
          "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
          -Nelson Mandela

          Comment


          • #95
            Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/20-june-2018-ebola-drc/en/
            Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

            Disease outbreak news
            20 June 2018

            The Ministry of Health and WHO continue to closely monitor the outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There is cautious optimism. Slightly over a month into the response, further spread of EVD has largely been contained. However, in spite of progress, there should be no room for laxity and complacency until the outbreak is controlled. The focus of operations remains on intensive surveillance and active case finding.
            Since 17 May 2018, no new confirmed EVD cases have been reported in Bikoro and Wangata health zones, while the last confirmed case-patient in Iboko developed symptoms on 2 June 2018 and died on 9 June (Figure 1).
            From 1 April through 18 June 2018, a total of 60 EVD cases1, including 28 deaths, have been reported from four health zones in Equateur Province. The total includes 38 confirmed, 14 probable and eight suspected cases. Cases have been confirmed from three health zones: Bikoro (n=24; 10 confirmed, 11 probable and three suspected cases), Iboko (n=32; 24 confirmed, three probable and five suspected cases), Wangata (n=4; all confirmed) (Figure 2). Five cases were health care workers, of which four were confirmed cases and two died. Of 1 706 contacts of cases registered to date, 244 contacts remain under active follow up as of 18 June 2018.
            Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by date of illness onset from 4 April through 18 June 2018 (n=52)




            Figure 2: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ebola cases per Health Zone in Equateur province from 4 April through 18 June 2018 (n=60)




            Public health response

            The Ministry of Health (MoH) is leading the response in the affected health zones with support from WHO and partners. Priorities include the strengthening of surveillance and contract tracing, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control (IPC), case management, community engagement, safe and dignified burials, response coordination and vaccination. Additionally, to avoid the spread of the disease from affected provinces to non-affected provinces and to other countries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has put into place cross-border surveillance at points of entry (neighbouring at-risk zones, provinces, countries, and at important travellers? congregation points). WHO continues to work closely with the Ministries of Health from nine neighbouring countries to strengthen preparedness in order to mitigate the risk of international spread.
            • Since the launch of the vaccination intervention on 21 May through 17 June, a total of 3 137 people have been vaccinated in Iboko (1 434) Wangata (834), Bikoro (779), Ingende (77), and Kinshasa (13). Populations eligible for ring vaccination include front-line health professionals, people who have been exposed to confirmed EVD cases (contacts) and contacts of contacts.
            • Active surveillance activities are ongoing, including daily follow-up of contacts of cases, active case search at community and health facility levels, real-time investigation of alerts, and laboratory testing of all suspected cases to confirm or exclude EVD.
            • Infection prevention and control supplies, including personal protective equipment and disinfectants, have been provided to health facilities in eight health areas, namely: Mapeke, Bokongo, Itipo, Londo, Bokando-Bouna, Mpangi, Lokango, and Boutela.
            • Community awareness activities continue in Iboko, Bikoro, Mbandaka Wangata and Bolenge. In Iboko, more than 140 households were visited this week. Cellule d?Animation Communautaire (CAC) teams conducted house-to-house visits in Bokongo, Mapeke, B.Buna and Loondo health areas. In Mbandaka, awareness raising activities was carried out in ports and small markets along the river. Community awareness involving street leaders is also being carried out in Mbandaka, Wangata and Bolenge, where rumours and community concerns are being addressed.
            • WHO is providing technical advice on the use of investigational therapeutics under the Monitored Emergency Use of Unregistered Interventions (MEURI) framework and provision of essential medical supplies. Four of the five investigational therapeutics are in-country and all protocols have been approved by the Ethics Review Board (ERB). This is the first time such treatments have been available during an Ebola outbreak.
            • As of 18 June 2018, WHO has deployed a total of 271 technical experts in various critical functions of the Incident Management System (IMS) to support response to the EVD outbreak, including 31 experts from the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) partner institutions. A WHO anthropologist and risk communication experts have trained Ebola responders on community engagement, including safe burial and contact tracing.
            • As of 19 June 2018, 26 countries have implemented entry screening for international travellers coming from Democratic Republic of the Congo, but there are currently no restrictions of international traffic in place. WHO continues to monitor travel and trade measures in relation to this event.
            • A joint partnership project was initiated by WHO, IOM, IFRC, UNHCR, and other partners to reinforce cross border coordination activities between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo and the Central African Republic.
            • As of 19 June 2018, no cases were detected at ports on the River Congo closed to Kinshasa (Muluku, Kinkol?, Ngobila) as well as in the international and main national airports in Kinshasa (Ndili, Ndolo). As of 16 June 2018, 9 716 travelers were screened, in Mbandaka, 538 travellers in Irebu, and 100 travelers in Iboko.
            • As of 20 June no exported case was reported. The risk of missed cases able to travel outside of Equateur Province and internationally during the incubation period (two to 21 days) was considered very low. However, it was decided to maintain exit screening at points of entry and congregation sites as a precautionary measure and to prepare a deactivation plan for after the end of the outbreak.
            • WHO is supporting neighbouring countries to systematically assess and take action on Ebola preparedness, and to develop national contingency response plans. A regional readiness and preparedness plan has been developed and published, outlining activities to ensure that the nine neighbouring countries can detect and contain Ebola should it be introduced. The regional readiness and preparedness plan requires US$ 15.5 million.

            WHO risk assessment

            WHO considers the public health risk to be very high at the national level due to the serious nature of the disease, insufficient epidemiological information and the delay in the detection of initial cases, which makes it difficult to assess the magnitude and geographical extent of the outbreak.
            WHO has assessed the public health risk to be high at the regional level. Nine neighbouring countries, including the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, have been advised that they are at high risk of spread, and preparedness activities are being undertaken.
            At the global level the risk currently remains low. This risk assessment is continuously being reviewed as further information becomes available.
            WHO advice

            The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee was convened by the WHO Director-General on 18 May 2018, and advised against the application of any travel or trade restrictions to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in relation to the current Ebola outbreak. Flight cancellations and other travel restrictions may hinder the international public health response and may cause significant economic damage to the affected country. The Emergency Committee also advised that exit screening, including at airports and ports on the Congo river, is considered to be of great importance. However, entry screening, particularly in distant airports, is not considered to be of any public health or cost-benefit value. Although the Emergency Committee stated that the conditions for a PHEIC are not currently met, the Committee issued comprehensive public health advice2.
            WHO travel advice was issued on 29 May 20183, aiming to sensitize travellers on how to reduce the risk of exposure and where to obtain appropriate medical assistance in case of EVD like symptoms after possible exposure , considering the risk of an international traveller becoming infected with Ebola virus during a visit to the affected areas and developing disease after returning is low, even if the visit included travel to areas where primary cases have been reported. In addition WHO in collaboration with transport and travel partners (ICAO, IATA) are working together to increase travellers? awareness, vigilance on board of conveyances and points of entry and stress on the importance of establishing and maintaining a public health emergency contingency plan at POE in a multisectoral approach, pursuant to the IHR requirement.

            1The total number of cases is subject to change due to ongoing reclassification, retrospective investigation, and availability of laboratory results. Data reported in the Disease Outbreak News are official information reported by the Ministry of Health.
            2http://www.who.int/news-room/detail/18-05-2018-statement-on-the-1st-meeting-of-the-ihr-emergency-committee-regarding-the-ebola-outbreak-in-2018
            3http://www.who.int/ith/evd-travel-advice-final-29-05-2018-final.pdf?ua=1

            Comment


            • #96
              ECHOS EBOLA RDC 2018
              EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
              Thursday 21 June 2018

              The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated June 20, 2018 :
              • A total of 61 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, including 38 confirmed, 14 probable and 9 suspected .
              • 4 new suspected cases, including 2 in Bikoro and 2 in Iboko
              • 4 samples were negative
              • 24 people have been cured of Ebola Virus Disease since the beginning of the epidemic
              • No deaths reported so far
              • No new cases confirmed
              Epidemiological analyzes have identified contacts living in nearby health areas in Bikoro and Iboko. These contacts are followed and advised to limit their movements during the entire follow-up period of 21 days.


              Remarks
              • Negative tests are systematically removed from the summary table.
              • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation.
              News from the Ebola response

              Vaccination
              • Since the launch of the vaccination on 21 May, 3,199 people have been vaccinated, including 836 in Mbandaka, 779 in Bikoro, 1,464 in Iboko, 107 in Ingende and 13 in Kinshasa.
              Leopards against Ebola
              • On Thursday 21 June 2018, the coach of the national football team, Florent Ibenge, the former professional football player Aziz Makukula, and the African champion of karate, Master Nancy Tshiaba, went to Mbandaka and Itipo with the Ministry of Health to raise awareness about Ebola as part of the 'Leopards against Ebola' campaign.
              • In Itipo, they were greeted with fanfare by the people who accompanied them to the football field to attend a shootout contest between two local teams. Coach Ibenge and Aziz Makukula handed the two teams a set of autographed T-shirts, caps and footballs. Master Tshiba took the opportunity to give a demonstration of karate to the young people present.
              • Athletes also exchanged with members of the National Association of Ebola Winners (ANVE) who spoke about the stigma they still face in the community. The presence of these celebrities alongside the winners has sent a strong message to the community to show that Ebola survivors are not a danger.
              • Our guests were keen to support the local medical teams who have been working hard for more than a month to contain the Ebola outbreak. They offered a batch of drugs at the Itipo Ebola Treatment Center. Before leaving for Mbandaka, they stopped for a moment to watch with the Itipo teams part of the match of the World Cup Denmark v. Australia.
              • The Leopards congratulated the population of Itipo for their collaboration with the health authorities and encouraged them to continue to respect hygiene measures to put an end to the Ebola outbreak.

              PHOTO OF THE DAY
              Master Nancy Tshiaba with the children of Itipo
              ...
              "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
              -Nelson Mandela

              Comment


              • #97
                Translation Google
                ECHOS EBOLA RDC 2018
                EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
                Friday 22 June 2018

                The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 21 June 2018 :
                • A total of 52 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, of which 38 confirmed, 14 probable and 0 suspect.
                • No new suspicious cases
                • 9 samples were negative
                • 24 people have been cured of Ebola Virus Disease since the beginning of the epidemic
                • No deaths reported so far
                • No new cases confirmed
                Epidemiological analyzes have identified contacts living in nearby health areas in Bikoro and Iboko. These contacts are followed and advised to limit their movements during the entire follow-up period of 21 days.


                Remarks
                • Negative tests are systematically removed from the summary table.
                • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation.
                PHOTO OF THE DAY
                A modern isolation unit in the Itipo Ebola Treatment Center set up by ALIMA (The Alliance for International Medical Action)
                ...
                "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                -Nelson Mandela

                Comment


                • #98
                  Translation Google
                  ECHOS EBOLA RDC 2018
                  EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
                  Sunday, June 24, 2018

                  The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated June 23, 2018 :
                  • A total of 57 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, including 38 confirmed, 14 probable and 5 suspected .
                  • 2 new suspected cases, including 1 in Bikoro and 1 in Iboko.
                  • 24 people have been cured of Ebola Virus Disease since the beginning of the epidemic.
                  • The last confirmed case dates back to June 6, 2018.
                  • The last contact will be taken from the contact list on June 27, 2018.


                  Remarks
                  • Negative tests are systematically removed from the summary table.
                  • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation.
                  • Epidemiological analyzes have identified contacts living in nearby health areas in Bikoro and Iboko. These contacts are followed and advised to limit their movements during the entire follow-up period of 21 days.
                  News from the Ebola response

                  Vaccination
                  • Since the launch of the vaccination on May 21, 3,268 people have been vaccinated, including 843 in Mbandaka, 779 in Bikoro, 1,518 in Iboko, 107 in Ingende and 21 in Kinshasa.

                  PHOTO OF THE DAY
                  Coach Florent Ibenge and former Leopards player Aziz Makukula during their visit to Itipo
                  ...
                  "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                  -Nelson Mandela

                  Comment


                  • #99
                    Translation Google
                    ECHOS EBOLA RDC 2018
                    EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
                    Tuesday, June 26, 2018

                    The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 25 June 2018 :
                    • A total of 56 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, including 38 confirmed, 15 probable and 3 suspected .
                    • 3 new suspected cases, including 3 in Bikoro and 1 in Iboko.
                    • 3 samples were negative
                    • A previous community death in the Iboko Health Zone on May 20, 2018 has been classified as a probable case after further investigation. This was a contact from an old confirmed case.
                    • 24 people have been cured of Ebola Virus Disease since the beginning of the epidemic.
                    • The last confirmed case dates back to June 6, 2018.
                    • The last contact will be taken from the contact list on June 27, 2018.


                    Remarks
                    • Negative tests are systematically removed from the summary table.
                    • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation.
                    • Epidemiological analyzes have identified contacts living in nearby health areas in Bikoro and Iboko. These contacts are followed and advised to limit their movements during the entire follow-up period of 21 days.
                    News from the Ebola response

                    Vaccination
                    • Since the launch of the vaccination on May 21, 3,312 people have been vaccinated, including 875 in Mbandaka, 779 in Bikoro, 1,530 in Iboko, 107 in Ingende and 21 in Kinshasa.
                    Port of entry surveillance in Kinshasa
                    • On Tuesday, June 26, 2018, the Ministry of Health, through its National Border Health Program (PNHF), organized a visit for media professionals at the Bende Bende sanitary control station in the municipality of Maluku, in Kinshasa. This activity was organized in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) intervention teams .
                    • A demonstration of point-of-entry surveillance activities was conducted by the field teams to explain to media professionals how port-of-entry surveillance works.

                    PHOTO OF THE DAY
                    Demonstration of the care of a patient at the sanitary control station of Bende Bende in the municipality of Maluku in Kinshasa
                    ...
                    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                    -Nelson Mandela

                    Comment


                    • ECHOS EBOLA RDC 2018
                      Communication sp?ciale du Ministre de la Sant? concernant l'?volution de la neuvi?me ?pid?mie d'Ebola en RDC

                      (English version available below)

                      Ce jeudi 28 juin 2018, toutes les personnes ayant ?t? en contact avec le dernier cas confirm? d?Ebola ont termin? leur p?riode de suivi de 21 jours sans montrer de signe de contamination. Il s?agit d?une ?tape importante dans la riposte contre l??pid?mie d?Ebola car elle marque le d?but du compte ? rebours pour l?annonce de la fin de la neuvi?me ?pid?mie d?Ebola en R?publique D?mocratique du Congo. La fin de l??pid?mie sera d?clar?e lorsque le pays aura pass? 42 jours, soit deux p?riodes d?incubation, sans notifier de nouveau cas confirm? d?Ebola.

                      Cette ?pid?mie a ?t? l??pid?mie la plus complexe et la plus difficile que le pays ait eu ? g?rer, principalement parce qu?elle a commenc? dans deux zones rurales en m?me temps et a rapidement atteint une ville de plus d?un million d?habitants directement connect?e ? Kinshasa, notre capital o? plus de 12 millions de Congolais vivent. Toutefois, gr?ce ? une rapide mobilisation nationale et internationale ainsi qu?au leadership du Gouvernement dans la coordination de la r?ponse, nous avons r?ussi ? ma?triser cette ?pid?mie ? haut risque en seulement 7 semaines.

                      Cela constitue une v?ritable r?ussite dont nous devons tous ?tre fiers. La cl? de notre succ?s r?side avant tout dans l?efficacit? des ?quipes de surveillance nationales et internationales sur le terrain qui ont fait, et continuent ? faire, un travail remarquable. Elles ont r?ussi ? identifier et suivre 1,706 contacts qui furent parmi les premi?res personnes ? b?n?ficier du nouveau vaccin contre Ebola.

                      L?utilisation de la vaccination dans cette riposte contre Ebola a ind?niablement contribu? ? briser la cha?ne de transmission et contenir plus rapidement le virus. Depuis le d?but du microplan de vaccination le 21 mai dernier, 3,330 personnes ont ?t? vaccin?es et immunis?es contre le virus Ebola. Jusqu?? pr?sent, les r?sultats de la vaccination se sont montr?s concluants car aucune des personnes vaccin?es n?a d?velopp? la maladie ni exp?riment? d?effets secondaires majeurs.

                      Bien que nous nous dirigions vers la fin de l??pid?mie, le travail du Minist?re de la Sant? ne s?arr?te pas l?. Notre priorit? est, d?sormais, d?am?liorer la r?silience du syst?me de sant? en commen?ant par l?agrandissement de nos centres des op?rations d?urgence ? Mbandaka et Kinshasa. Comme Ebola est un virus dont le r?servoir naturel est situ? dans la for?t ?quatoriale, nous devons nous pr?parer ? la 10?me ?pid?mie. De plus, en raison de la mobilit? croissante de la population, il est fort probable que d?autres ?pid?mies surviennent dans des zones urbaines dans le futur. Par cons?quent, nous devons tirer les le?ons de cette r?ponse et renforcer notre syst?me de sant? afin qu?il puisse d?tecter et r?pondre de mani?re encore plus efficiente ? la prochaine ?pid?mie.

                      FIN


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                      Special communication of the Minister of Health regarding the evolution of the ninth Ebola outbreak in DRC
                      On Thursday 28th June 2018, all the people who have been in contact with the last confirmed Ebola case have passed the 21-day incubation period without showing any signs of an Ebola infection. This is an important milestone in the Ebola response as it marks the start of the countdown towards the end of the ninth Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The end of the outbreak will be declared when the country spends 42 days, or two incubation periods, without notifying new confirmed Ebola cases.

                      This outbreak has been the most challenging and complex outbreak the country has ever had to face, mainly because it started in two rural zones at the same time and quickly reached a city of more than 1 million inhabitants directly connected to Kinshasa, our capital city where more than 12 million Congolese live. Yet thanks to a rapid national and international mobilization as well as a great government-led coordination of the response, we managed to contain this high-risk outbreak in just 7 weeks.

                      This is a great achievement that we should all be proud of. The key of our success lies, primarily, in the efficiency of the national and international surveillance teams on the ground, which have been ? and are still ? doing an outstanding work. They managed to identify and trace 1,706 contacts who were among the first beneficiaries of the new vaccine against Ebola.

                      The use of vaccination in this Ebola response has been a game-changer as it allowed us to break the chain of transmission and contain the virus more quickly. Since the beginning of the vaccination microplan on May 21st, 3,330 people have been vaccinated and immunized against the Ebola virus. So far, the results of the vaccination have been promising as none of the individuals who were vaccinated developed the disease nor experienced major side effects.

                      While we are heading towards the end of the outbreak, the work of the Ministry of Health does not end here. Our priority is now to improve the resilience of the health system starting with the expansion of our emergency operations centers in Mbandaka and Kinshasa. As Ebola is a virus whose natural reservoir is located in the Equatorial Forest, we must prepare ourselves for the 10th Ebola outbreak. Moreover, with the greater mobility of the population, we can expect to have other outbreaks in urban zones in the future. We must learn the lessons from this response and strengthen our health system in order to detect and respond even more efficiently to the next outbreak.

                      END

                      SITUATION ?PID?MIOLOGIQUE
                      Jeudi 28 juin 2018

                      La situation ?pid?miologique de la Maladie ? Virus Ebola en date du 27 juin 2018 :
                      • Au total, 55 cas de fi?vre h?morragique ont ?t? signal?s dans la r?gion, dont 38 confirm?s, 15 probables et 2 suspects.
                      • 2 nouveaux cas suspects, dont 1 ? Bikoro et 1 ? Wangata.
                      • 4 ?chantillons se sont r?v?l?s n?gatifs.
                      • 24 personnes ont ?t? gu?ries de la Maladie ? Virus Ebola depuis le d?but de l'?pid?mie.
                      • Le dernier cas confirm? remonte au 6 juin 2018.
                      • Tous les contacts enregistr?s sont sortis de la liste de suivi des contacts.


                      Remarques
                      • Les tests n?gatifs sont syst?matiquement retir?s du tableau r?capitulatif.
                      • La cat?gorie des cas probables reprend tous les d?c?s notifi?s pour lesquels il n'a pas ?t? possible d'obtenir des ?chantillons biologiques pour confirmation au laboratoire.
                      • Les analyses ?pid?miologiques ont permis d'identifier des contacts qui vivent dans les zones de sant? voisines ? Bikoro et Iboko. Ces contacts sont suivis et ont ?t? conseill?s de limiter leurs mouvements durant toute la p?riode de suivi qui est de 21 jours.
                      INFORMATION G?N?RALE

                      En raison du commencement de la phase finale de l'?pid?mie, nos bulletins journaliers seront remplac?s par un bulletin hebdomadaire jusqu'? la d?claration officielle de la fin de l'?pid?mie d'Ebola. Le prochain bulletin sera envoy? le vendredi 6 juillet 2018.
                      L'Equipe Presse reste ? votre enti?re disposition pour toute question ou demande d'interview concernant l'?pid?mie d'Ebola.

                      -----------------------------------------------------

                      GENERAL INFORMATION
                      As we are entering the final phase of the Ebola outbreak, our daily updates will be replaced by one weekly update until the official declaration of the end of the Ebola outbreak. The next update will be sent on Friday, 6th July 2018.
                      The press team remains available for any questions or interview requests related to Ebola.
                      ...
                      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                      -Nelson Mandela

                      Comment


                      • Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/06-july-2018-ebola-drc/en/
                        Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

                        Disease outbreak news
                        6 July 2018

                        The Ministry of Health and WHO continue to closely monitor the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
                        Contact tracing activities concluded on 27 June after the last people with potential exposure to the virus completed their 21-day follow-up without developing symptoms. Over 20 000 visits to contacts have been conducted by the field team throughout the outbreak.
                        On 12 June, the last confirmed Ebola virus disease patient in ?quateur Province was discharged from an Ebola treatment centre, following two negative tests on serial laboratory specimens. Before the outbreak can be declared over, a period of 42 days (two incubation periods) following the last possible exposure to a confirmed case must elapse without any new confirmed cases being detected. Until this milestone is reached, it is critical to maintain all key response pillars, including intensive surveillance to rapidly detect and respond to any resurgence.
                        In light of progress in the response, WHO has revised the risk assessment for this outbreak (see section below).
                        From 1 April through 3 July 2018, a total of 53 Ebola virus disease cases1 , including 29 deaths (case fatality ratio: 55%), were reported from ?quateur Province. The total includes 38 laboratory-confirmed and 15 probable cases (i.e. suspected cases that died without the opportunity to collect samples for laboratory testing). Cases have been reported from three health zones: Bikoro (n=21; 10 confirmed, 11 probable), Iboko (n=28; 24 confirmed, 4 probable), Wangata (n=4; all confirmed) (Figure 2). Five cases were health care workers, of which four were confirmed cases and two died.
                        From 3 through 5 July 2018, the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, conducted a strategic operations review to assess the current epidemiological situation, evaluate progress against the Ebola virus disease Strategic Response Plan, engage in initial lesson learning, and prioritize key activities and resources for continued vigilance in affected areas through to the end of the outbreak. The review included the development of a 90-day enhanced surveillance and response plan for the continuation of core activities after the end of the outbreak, as well as planning for sustaining local and national capacities for to ongoing health emergency response across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Ebola treatment centres will remain operational and continue to provide clinical care to suspected cases.
                        Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by date of illness onset, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 1 April through 3 July 2018 (n=53)




                        Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by health zone, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1 April through 3 July 2018 (n=53)




                        Public health response

                        The Ministry of Health continues to lead the response in the affected health zones with support from WHO and partners. Priorities include the strengthening of surveillance and contract tracing, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control (IPC), case management, community engagement, safe and dignified burials, response coordination and vaccination. Additionally, to avoid the spread of the disease from affected provinces to non-affected provinces and to other countries, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has put into place cross-border surveillance at points of entry (neighbouring at-risk zones, provinces, countries, and at important travellers? congregation points). WHO continues to work closely with the Ministries of Health from nine neighbouring countries to strengthen preparedness to mitigate the risk of international spread.
                        • Since the launch of the vaccination intervention on 21 May through 30 June, a total of 3330 people have been vaccinated in Iboko (1530) Wangata (893), Bikoro (779), Ingende (107), and Kinshasa (21). Populations eligible for ring vaccination include front-line health professionals, people who have been exposed to confirmed Ebola virus disease cases (contacts) and contacts of contacts. A total of 2020 vaccine doses are available in the central vaccine stores and 870 doses are in Mbandaka.
                        • Intensive surveillance activities are ongoing, including active case searching at the community and health facility levels, real-time investigation of alerts, and laboratory testing of all suspected cases to confirm or exclude Ebola virus disease. From 13 May through 3 July, 728 alerts were investigated and 387 individuals meeting the suspected case definition were tested.
                        • WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health to establish a one year programme for care to survivors. The programme will be focused on three axes: clinical follow-up, counselling and semen testing, and psychosocial support. A workshop to launch the project will be held in Mbandaka from 6 through 7 July.
                        • Risk communication, social mobilization and community engagement activities continue in the area with support for active community-based alerts for epidemic prone diseases, addressing rumours related to Ebola virus disease and reduction of stigma against survivors.
                        • As of 6 July, WHO has deployed a total of 332 (217 international, 115 national) technical experts in various critical functions of the Incident Management System (IMS) to support response to the EVD outbreak, including 20 experts from the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) partner institutions.
                        • WHO continues to monitor travel and trade measures in relation to this event. As of 6 July, no restriction of international traffic was put in place. Based on informal sources available publicly, 25 countries have implemented entry screening for international travellers coming from Democratic Republic of the Congo during this outbreak.
                        • To date, no exported cases have been reported. The risk of missed cases able to travel outside of ?quateur Province and internationally during the incubation period (2 to 21 days) is considered very low. However, it was decided to maintain exit screening at points of entry and congregation sites as a precautionary measure and to prepare a deactivation plan for after the end of the outbreak.

                        WHO risk assessment

                        On 3 July 2018, WHO reviewed the level of public health risk associated with the current outbreak. The latest assessment concluded that the current Ebola virus disease outbreak has largely been contained, considering that over 21 days (one maximum incubation period) have elapsed since the last laboratory-confirmed case was discharged and that contact tracing activities ended on 27 June 2018. However, there remains a risk of resurgence from potentially undetected transmission chains and possible sexual transmission of the virus by male survivors. It is therefore, critical to maintain all key response pillars until the end of the outbreak is declared. Strengthened surveillance mechanisms and a survivor monitoring program are in place to mitigate, rapidly detect and respond to respond to such events. Based on these factors, WHO considers the public health risk to be moderate at the national level.
                        In the absence of ongoing transmission, the probability of exported cases is low and diminishing, and has been further mitigated by the undertaking of preparedness activities and establishment of contingency plans in neighbouring countries. WHO has assessed the public health risk to be low at the regional and global levels.
                        WHO advice

                        The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee was convened by the WHO Director-General on 18 May 2018, and advised against the application of any travel or trade restrictions to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in relation to the current Ebola outbreak. Flight cancellations and other travel restrictions may hinder the international public health response and may cause significant economic damage to the affected country. The Emergency Committee also advised that exit screening, including at airports and ports on the Congo river, is considered to be of great importance. However, entry screening, particularly in distant airports, is not considered to be of any public health or cost-benefit value. Although the Emergency Committee stated that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) are not currently met, the Committee issued comprehensive public health advice2 .
                        WHO travel advice was issued on 29 May 20183 , aiming to sensitize travellers on how to reduce the risk of exposure and where to obtain appropriate medical assistance in case of Ebola virus disease like symptoms after possible exposure. .In general the risk of an international traveller becoming infected with Ebola virus during a visit to the affected areas and developing disease after returning is low, even if the visit included travel to areas where primary cases have been reported.

                        1The total number of cases is subject to change due to ongoing reclassification, retrospective investigation, and availability of laboratory results.

                        Comment


                        • Translation Google
                          MIN SANTE - PRESS RELEASE - JULY 24, 2018
                          Special Communication from HE Dr. Oly ILUNGA KALENGA, Minister of Health, on the End of Ebola Virus Disease in

                          the Province of Ecuador

                          Dear compatriots ,

                          On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, I announced to the national and international opinion that the Democratic Republic of Congo was facing its ninth epidemic of the Ebola Virus Disease, which appeared in the Province of Ecuador.

                          This epidemic had all the characteristics of an unprecedented major crisis:
                          1. It started in two health zones at the same time, namely the health zones of Bikoro and Iboko;
                          2. Caregivers also affected were an amplification factor;
                          3. The two affected health areas were located about 150 kilometers from the town of Mbandaka, capital of Equateur Province.
                          So from the start, we had prepared for the worst of scenarios. And our fears were quickly confirmed with the confirmation on Wednesday, May 16 of the first cases of Ebola in the city of Mbandaka, specifically in the Wangata Health Zone.

                          Although the scale of the crisis we were facing was unprecedented, the speed and effectiveness of the response put in place by the Government and its partners were also exceptional. The strengths of this response are:
                          • The excellent collaboration of all actors involved under the leadership of the Government;
                          • Deployment in less than 24 hours from Kinshasa of a rapid response team from the Ministry of Health;
                          • The installation in less than 48 hours of an air bridge between Kinshasa, Mbandaka and Bikoro thanks to the United Nations system;
                          • The administration for the first time, to 3,300 people, of the vaccine against Ebola, in order to break the chain of transmission in the community;
                          • The deployment and installation of three mobile laboratories of the INRB in Mbandaka, Bikoro and Itipo to facilitate the rapid confirmation of cases; and
                          • The introduction of free healthcare in seven health zones of the Province covering a population of nearly one million inhabitants.
                          This team work allowed for many challenges and quickly paid off.

                          Since June 6, 2018, no new confirmed cases of Ebola Virus Disease have been recorded in the Province of Ecuador. The last confirmed case of Ebola was cured from Bikoro Ebola Treatment Center on June 12, 2018.

                          Also, after a 42-day observation period, with no new confirmed cases recorded, and in accordance with international health regulations , I declare from this day, July 24, 2018, the end of the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in the Equateur Province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

                          In total, after verification and consolidation of the databases, the National Coordination counted 54 cases, including 33 deaths and 21 survivors, who regrouped within the National Association of Ebola Winners.

                          Dear Compatriots ,

                          At the outbreak of the outbreak, His Excellency Mr. Joseph Kabila Kabange, President of the Republic and Head of State, requested that the response be fast, energetic and effective, because every life counts. This mission is now accomplished.

                          This result would not have been possible without the dedication and professionalism of the Congolese health care providers who gave the best of themselves to serve the Nation and make life triumph. I want to express their gratitude to them.

                          I would also like to thank our friends and partners who worked closely with our experts and who have spontaneously aligned themselves with the Government's priorities. Beyond the response to the epidemic, this unprecedented alignment of all stakeholders is the only way that will allow us to achieve our sole objective, namely to improve the health and well-being of the Congolese population. .

                          It is therefore in this dynamic of alignment of all the actors behind the Government, that we begin today the post-epidemic phases which include the stabilization of the situation, the resilience of the system in the affected and impacted health zones. by this ninth epidemic, and the strengthening at the national level of our system of surveillance, detection and response.

                          Thank you.
                          Dr. Oly ILUNGA KALENGA

                          ...
                          "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                          -Nelson Mandela

                          Comment


                          • Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/25-july-2018-ebola-drc/en/
                            Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

                            Disease outbreak news
                            25 July 2018

                            As 42 days (two incubation periods) have passed since the last possible exposure to a confirmed Ebola virus disease case, on 24 July 2018, the Minister of Health, Dr Oly Ilunga announced the end of the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, commends the country and partners in the response against the outbreak while urging them to extend this success to combatting other diseases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
                            In contrast to previous Ebola virus disease outbreaks in the country, this outbreak involved three health zones, including an urban centre with river connections to the capital and to neighbouring countries, as well as remote rainforest villages. Within hours of the outbreak being declared on 8 May 2018, WHO advanced more than US$2 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies, deployed a team to augment capacity in the field, and activated an emergency incident management system. More than two-thirds of the 360 people deployed to respond came from within the WHO African Region, including vaccination teams from Guinea.
                            From 20 through 21 July 2018, WHO supported a workshop to harmonize, reconcile and validate the wide range of data arising from the outbreak response. The workshop brought together teams responsible for coordination, surveillance, case management, laboratory investigations and vaccinations in Mbandaka, Bikoro, Itipo, Iboko and Kinshasa to share their findings, and harmonize data records. As a result of this exercise, changes to the number of confirmed and probable cases, including deaths among these cases, were agreed. These changes only affected the reclassification of data records of past cases, who were otherwise known to field investigators and received full follow-up as part of the response.
                            As of 24 July 2018, a total of 54 Ebola virus disease cases (38 confirmed and 16 probable) were reported, with illness onset between 5 April and 2 June 2018 (Figure 1). Of these cases, 33 died (overall case fatality ratio: 61%), including 17 deaths among confirmed cases. Cases were reported from three health zones (Figure 2): Bikoro (n=21; 10 confirmed, 11 probable), Iboko (n=29; 24 confirmed, 5 probable), and Wangata (n=4; all confirmed). Seven cases were health care workers, of whom two died.
                            Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by epidemiological week of illness onset, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 5 April through 24 July 2018 (n=54)




                            Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by health zone, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 5 April through 24 July 2018 (n=54)




                            Public health response

                            From 3 through 5 July 2018, the Ministry of Health, with support from WHO and partners, conducted a strategic operations review to assess the current epidemiological situation, evaluate progress against the Ebola virus disease Strategic Response Plan, engage in initial lesson learning, and prioritize key activities and resources for continued vigilance in affected areas. A key product of the operations review was the development of a government-led Consolidation and Stabilization Plan (August ? October 2018) to transition resources deployed, strengthen emergency response capacity and preparedness, and overall resilience of the health systems. This plan includes:
                            • Maintaining and strengthening surveillance capacity to rapidly detect and respond to potential new cases of Ebola virus disease, including for points of entry and the locations of areas where travellers congregate and interact with the local population, and in neighbouring provinces and countries;
                            • Strengthening infection prevention and control, as well as Water, Sanitation, and Health (WASH), in targeted health facilities;
                            • Maintaining evidence-based standards for case management (clinical care of patients and access to monitored use of investigational therapeutics);
                            • Maintaining local laboratory capacity for confirmation of new potential cases and management of care to survivors;
                            • Providing health services and psychosocial care for survivors and their families;
                            • Strengthening community engagement to improve knowledge of and response to Ebola and epidemic-prone diseases in targeted health zones;
                            • Improving food security in health zones affected by Ebola virus disease;
                            • Leveraging resources and knowledge from the first two phases of the response to facilitate the development of a National Health Security and Resilience Plan, based on previous assessments and the after action review which is planned from 10 through 14 September 2018.

                            As part of this next phase of the public health response, WHO will support the Ministry of Health in leading an After-Action Review with partners and donors to engage in lessons learning and determine how best to leverage resources and knowledge from the first two phases of the response to strengthen health systems and national resilience under a National Action Plan for Heath Security.
                            WHO risk assessment

                            The latest WHO assessment concluded that the current Ebola virus disease outbreak has been contained, considering that 42 days (two maximum incubation periods) have elapsed since the date of the second negative test of the last case confirmed case on 12 June 2018. Under the Consolidation and Stabilisation Strategic Plan adopted by the Ministry for Health, enhanced surveillance, a program for long-term Ebola survivor care and other response mechanisms, remain in place following the end of the outbreak declaration to maintain increased vigilance and contribute to resilience of the health system. WHO considers the public health risk associated with the recent Ebola virus disease outbreak to be low at national, regional and global levels. Ebola virus disease is, however, endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and may re-emerge at any time.
                            WHO advice

                            WHO advises the following risk reduction measures as an effective way to reduce Ebola virus disease transmission:
                            • Reducing the risk of wildlife-to-human transmission from contact with infected fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of their raw meat. Animals should be handled with gloves and other appropriate protective clothing. Animal products (blood and meat) should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
                            • Reducing the risk of human-to-human transmission from direct or close contact with people with Ebola symptoms, particularly with their bodily fluids. Gloves and appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when taking care of ill patients at home. Regular hand washing is required after visiting patients in hospital, as well as after taking care of patients at home.
                            • Reducing the risk of possible sexual transmission, based on further analysis of ongoing research and consideration by the WHO Advisory Group on the Ebola Virus Disease Response, WHO recommends that male survivors of Ebola virus disease practice safe sex and hygiene for 12 months from onset of symptoms or until their semen tests negative twice for Ebola virus. Contact with body fluids should be avoided and washing with soap and water is recommended. WHO does not recommend isolation of male or female convalescent patients whose blood has been tested negative for Ebola virus.

                            WHO continues to advise against any restriction of travel and trade to the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on the currently available. WHO has monitored travel and trade restrictions during this outbreak, and recorded 26 countries that put in place entry screening measures, while no country has implemented any travel or trade restrictions, as recommended by the Emergency Committee.
                            For more information, see:

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