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DRC - Ebola outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri: July 30, 2018+

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    EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
    EVOLUTION OF THE EBOLA EPIDEMIC IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

    Thursday 18 July 2019


    The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 17 July 2019 :
    • Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 2,532, 2,438 confirmed and 94 probable. In total, there were 1,705 deaths (1,611 confirmed and 94 probable) and 718 people cured.
    • 402 suspected cases under investigation;
    • 10 new confirmed cases, including 4 in Beni, 2 in Butembo, 2 in Mandima, 1 in Vuhovi and 1 in Mutwanga;
    • 7 new confirmed case deaths:
      • 4 community deaths, 2 in Beni, 1 in Mandima and 1 in Vuhovi;
      • 3 CTE deaths including 1 in Beni, 1 in Katwa and 1 in Mabalako;
    • 1 person healed out of CTE Butembo.
    ...

    Cross-border collaboration
    • Uganda's health authorities have launched investigations to find the contacts of a patient who died at the CTE in Beni on July 15, 2019, who had spent a day in Kasese district in Uganda a few days earlier. The patient is a Beni shopkeeper who went to the Mpondwe market in Kasese on Thursday, July 11 before returning to Beni on Friday, July 12. She was a regular at the Kasese market where she bought her goods, including fish.
    • To enter Uganda, she did not go through a formal entry point where there was a health check, which did not allow health teams to detect her. However, after her admission to the CTE of Beni, she informed the medical teams of her trip to Kasese and the teams then alerted the Ugandan authorities. During her visit to the market, she would have vomited four times, increasing the risk of contamination of people who had been in direct contact with her. For example, the Ugandan Ministry of Health and WHO launched the investigation in Kasese to identify all contacts and vaccinate them.

    Point of entry surveillance
    • From now on, the Port of Entry Monitoring Team will operate 24 hours a day at Goma International Airport. This surveillance began this Thursday, July 18, 2019.
    • Port of Entry monitoring teams work night and day to find contacts from confirmed cases traveling in the area. It was the teams at the OPRP Health Checkpoint in the Nyragongo Health Zone who intercepted two bikers who had transported the deceased pastor and his mother. The two bikers were then directed to the vaccination teams to protect themselves against the disease. In general, when contacts from affected areas attempt to travel to Goma or Bunia and are intercepted at a checkpoint, they are usually returned to their original health zone to complete their 21-day follow-up period.

    Minister of Health on mission in Eastern DRC
    • The Minister of Health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga arrived in Goma this Thursday, July 18, 2019. He spent the day on the ground to meet the different teams responsible for protecting the city against the virus. He began his visit through the Great Northern Control Point, called the OPRP, located in the Nyragongo Health Zone where the pastor from Butembo passed. In the same health zone, he also visited the new Ebola treatment center (ETC) still under construction. This CTE, built by M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF), will have a capacity of 60 beds.
    • Its mission will continue throughout North Kivu and Ituri to ensure the proper conduct of the response.

    Press Conference in Goma: Minister of Health reassured people
    • The coordination of the response held a press conference on Thursday in Goma following the WHO statement on the public health emergency of international concern.
    • The Minister of Health reassured the population that the response teams and health staff in Goma City had been preparing for the arrival of sick people from areas affected by the epidemic. . Thus the person was very quickly identified and isolated, he said, adding that all the people who were in contact with this case were found and vaccinated. He took the opportunity to congratulate the health center nurse Afia Himbi who had quickly recognized this case and promised to meet him during his stay in Goma.
    • He called on caregivers to remain vigilant and attentive. To the population, he recommended the respect of the measures of hygiene, the call of the green number if a relative is sick, the agreement to be vaccinated and to be followed during 21 days when one is identified like contact and the respect for safe and dignified burials.
    • During this press conference, Dr. Oly Ilunga also referred to the statement of the international expert committee on the public health emergency. For the Minister of Health, the DRC welcomed this statement, noting that for the DRC, the epidemic is a public health emergency with a risk of regional spread since its declaration in August 2018. " It is in this spirit coordinating the response has worked with international partners, such as WHO, UNICEF and others , "he said.
    • He also pointed out that this declaration is of greater importance for the neighboring countries of the DRC. He reassured his foreign counterparts of the intensification of surveillance in the DRC. He recalled that WHO has advised against closing borders and restricting international movements of the population. He hopes that this statement will not have too much impact on the lives of the people.
    ...

    137 Contaminated health workers
    One health worker, vaccinated,
    is one of the new confirmed cases of Mandima.
    The cumulative number of confirmed / probable cases among health workers is 137 (5% of all confirmed / probable cases), including 41 deaths.
    ...


    "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


    • Ministry of HealthDRC @ MinSanteRDC3h3 hours ago3 hours ago 3h3 hours ago

      In this interview, the minister of health @ OlyIlunga explains why he refused to test a second vaccine against # Ebola in the heart of a complex epidemic despite the many pressures from donors and humanitarian organizations.
      ...
      ---------------------------
      Debate over whether to test a second Ebola vaccine turns acrimonious

      By HELEN BRANSWELL JULY 17, 2019

      An aggressive push to use a second experimental Ebola vaccine to try to help stop the nearly yearlong outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo may have backfired, with the DRC?s health minister insisting the country will not allow use of the vaccine, made by pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.
      ...
      ?There?s a whole debate raging around vaccinations. And we need to close down this debate,? Ilunga said Monday at a World Health Organization meeting called to share updates on the outbreak with partners in the response and donor countries. ?We have an effective weapon. ? Let?s focus on that.?
      ...
      ?We are in the presence of a very, very dangerous situation. We have people who don?t want to discuss [their plans] with the government. People who have no respect for ethics. And they are ready to introduce a new vaccine and to create new communications problems and trust problems with the community,? he said. ?So I just made the decision to say no. We are not going to start a discussion again.?

      ...
      https://www.statnews.com/2019/07/17/...ebola-vaccine/
      "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: https://www.who.int/csr/don/18-july-2019-ebola-drc/en/
        Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

        Disease outbreak news: Update
        18 July 2019

        On 17 July 2019, the Director-General convened the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to review the situation on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It was the fourth time the Director-General convened the Committee for this event since the declaration of the outbreak in August 2018 (previous meetings were held in October 2018, April 2019, and June 2019). The Director-General accepted the Emergency Committee?s recommendation that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The decision was based on the recent developments in the outbreak, including the geographical expansion of the virus. The declaration of the PHEIC is not a reflection on the performance of the response team but rather a measure that recognizes the possible increased national and regional risks and the need for intensified and coordinated action to manage them. The Committee and WHO do not recommend any restrictions on travel or trade, which can hamper the fight against Ebola by affecting the movement of people and supplies. Further information, including temporary recommendations advised by the Emergency Committee, is available in the statement, speech by WHO Director General, and news release.
        The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in North Kivu and Ituri provinces continued this past week with similar transmission intensity to recent weeks. While the stability of the transmission intensity of the outbreak is an indication of the strong response efforts to limit local transmission in affected health zones, the spread of EVD into new geographical areas and continued insecurity in the affected regions continue to complicate the control of the outbreak.
        A salient example of this is the confirmed case of EVD that was reported in Goma, a city of approximately two million inhabitants close to the Rwandan border, on 14 July 2019. The case was a man who travelled to the city from Beni by bus, visiting a local health centre on arrival where the alert was raised. He transferred the same day to the Ebola Treatment Centre (ETC) in Goma, and died while being transferred to the ETC in Butembo. The case?s full travel history is known, and all contacts are being identified and followed-up. Vaccination of his contacts, and contacts of contacts, in Goma commenced on 15 July 2019. The confirmation of a case of EVD in the city of Goma had been long anticipated. Preparation activities, including the vaccination of health workers, intensive training in infection prevention and control, and heightened surveillance have been ongoing for more than six months. Neighbouring Rwanda is also conducting preparedness activities. Rumours of his contacts travelling to Bukavu, South Kivu, have been investigated and ruled out by response teams.
        In an unrelated event, two situation reports concerning Ebola Virus Disease in Uganda prepared and published by the Ugandan Ministry of Health, and posted on July 16 and July 17 on the WHO African Regional Office website, erroneously included unverified information. This information concerned the movements of a female fishmonger from Beni, who contracted EVD and travelled to a town in Uganda for one day, after which she returned to Beni, where she was admitted to the ETC. Ongoing investigations have suggested that the individual travelled to Uganda prior to onset of EVD. As it is not possible to conclusively rule out that she was infectious with EVD during her travels, both Ugandan and Democratic Republic of the Congo authorities are closely following potentially exposed contacts. There are currently no confirmed cases of EVD outside of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
        In the last week, two Democratic Republic of the Congo nationals involved in the response, a community leader and local volunteer, were killed in separate locations in Beni; the underlying motive and possible relationship between these two killings in separate locations remain unknown at this time. Security forces are currently conducting an investigation into these two fatalities.
        In the 21 days from 26 June through 16 July 2019, 67 health areas within 20 health zones reported new cases, representing 10% of the 664 health areas within North Kivu and Ituri provinces (Figure 2). During this period, a total of 245 confirmed cases were reported, the majority of which were from the health zones of Beni (50%, n=123), Mabalako (15%, n=37), Katwa (7%, n=18), Mandima (4%, n=10) and Butembo (4%, n=9). As of 16 July 2019, a total of 2522 EVD cases, including 2428 confirmed and 94 probable cases, were reported (Table 1). Bunia, Kyondo and Musienene health zones all recently cleared 21 days since their last reported case. However, high risks remain for the virus to be reintroduced to these areas, requiring teams to remain fully resourced and vigilant.
        A total of 1698 deaths were reported (overall case fatality ratio 67%), including 1604 deaths among confirmed cases. Of the 2522 confirmed and probable cases with known age and sex, 56% (1423) were female, and 29% (720) were children aged less than 18 years. Cases continue to increase among health workers, with the cumulative number infected rising to 135 (5% of total cases).
        Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 16 July 2019*




        Enlarge image
        *Data in recent weeks are subject to delays in case confirmation and reporting, as well as ongoing data cleaning. Other health zones include: Alimbongo, Ariwara, Biena, Bunia, Goma, Kalunguta, Kayna, Komanda, Kyondo, Lubero, Mangurujipa, Masereka, Mutwanga, Nyankunde, Oicha, Rwampara and Tchomia.
        Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 16 July 2019*




        Enlarge image
        Table 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases, and number of health areas affected, by health zone, North Kivu and Ituri provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo, data as of 16 July 2019**




        Enlarge image
        **Total cases and areas affected based during the last 21 days are based on the initial date of case alert and may differ from date of confirmation and daily reporting by the Ministry of Health.
        Public health response

        For further detailed information about the public health response actions by the MoH, WHO, and partners, please refer to the latest situation reports published by the WHO Regional Office for Africa:
        WHO risk assessment

        WHO continuously monitors changes to the epidemiological situation and context of the outbreak to ensure that support to the response is adapted to the evolving circumstances. The last assessment concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low. Weekly increases in the number of new cases were observed from February through mid-May 2019, with lower but still substantial rates since then. The security situation is characterised by the resurgence of activities from non-state armed groups in areas within all the three major areas of operations (Butembo, Beni, and Mangina). Increased ADF activities also led to clashes with FARDC in the northeast part of Beni. Local security forces conducted clearing operations and response activities were facilitated thereafter. Pockets of community reticence were observed during the period. However, recent community dialogue, outreach initiatives, and restoration of access to certain hotspot areas have resulted in some improvements in community acceptance of response activities and case investigation efforts. In order to facilitate staff safety and security, and continuity of activities, the operational area continues to be closely monitored and assessed, and security mitigation measures are implemented. The high proportion of community deaths reported among confirmed cases, relatively low proportion of new cases who were known contacts under surveillance, existence of transmission chains linked to nosocomial infection, persistent delays in detection and isolation in Ebola Treatment Centres (ETCs), and challenges in the timely reporting and response to probable cases, are all factors increasing the likelihood of further chains of transmission in affected communities and increasing the risk of geographical spread both within the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to neighbouring countries. The high rates of population movement from outbreak affected areas to other areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and across porous borders to neighbouring countries during periods of heightened insecurity further compounds these risks. Additional risks are posed by the long duration of the current outbreak, fatigue amongst response staff, and ongoing strain on limited resources. Conversely, substantive operational readiness and preparedness activities in a number of neighbouring countries have likely increased capacity to rapidly detect cases and mitigate local spread. These efforts must continue to be scaled-up.
        WHO advice

        WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, and trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on the currently available information. There is currently no licensed vaccine to protect people from the Ebola virus. Therefore, any requirements for certificates of Ebola vaccination are not a reasonable basis for restricting movement across borders or the issuance of visas for travellers to/from the affected countries. WHO continues to closely monitor and, if necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event. Currently, no country has implemented travel measures that significantly interfere with international traffic to and from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Travellers should seek medical advice before travel and should practice good hygiene. Further information is available here: WHO recommendations for international traffic related to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
        For more information, please see:


        Comment


        • Translation Google
          SITUATION EPID?MIOLOGIQUE
          EVOLUTION DE L'EPIDEMIE D'EBOLA DANS LES PROVINCES DU NORD-KIVU ET DE L'ITURI

          Vendredi 19 juillet 2019


          La situation ?pid?miologique de la Maladie ? Virus Ebola en date du 18 juillet 2019 :
          • Depuis le d?but de l??pid?mie, le cumul des cas est de 2.546, dont 2.452 confirm?s et 94 probables. Au total, il y a eu 1.715 d?c?s (1.621 confirm?s et 94 probables) et 721 personnes gu?ries.
          • 478 cas suspects en cours d?investigation ;
          • 14 nouveaux cas confirm?s, dont 6 ? Beni, 5 ? Mandima, 1 ? Katwa, 1 ? Mabalako et 1 ? Mambasa ;
          • 10 nouveaux d?c?s de cas confirm?s :
            • 6 d?c?s communautaires, dont 2 ? Beni, 2 ? Mandima, 1 ? Mabalako et 1 ? Mambasa ;
            • 4 d?c?s au CTE dont 2 ? Butembo, 1 ? Katwa et 1 ? Mabalako ;
          • 3 personnes gu?ries sorties du CTE Beni.
          ...
          138 Contaminated health workers

          One health worker, vaccinated
          , is one of the new confirmed cases of Mandima.
          The cumulative number of confirmed / probable cases among health workers is 138 (5% of all confirmed / probable cases) including 41 deaths.
          ...



          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
          EVOLUTION OF THE EBOLA EPIDEMIC IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

          Saturday, July 20, 2019


          The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 19 July 2019 :
          • Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 2,564, 2,470 confirmed and 94 probable. In total, there were 1,728 deaths (1,634 confirmed and 94 probable) and 726 people healed.
          • 392 suspected cases under investigation;
          • 18 new confirmed cases, including 7 in Beni, 3 in Mandima, 3 in Mabalako, 1 in Vuhovi, 1 in Butembo, 1 in Mambasa, 1 in Lubero and 1 in Masereka;
          • 13 new confirmed cases deaths:
            • 8 community deaths, including 4 in Beni, 2 in Mandima, 1 in Mabalako and 1 in Masereka;
            • 5 CTE / CT deaths, 2 in Mabalako, 2 in Beni and 1 in Katwa;
          • 5 people recovered from ETCs, including 3 in Beni and 2 in Katwa.
          ...

          Minister of Health visits Beni
          • The Minister of Health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga spent the day of Friday, July 19, 2019 in Beni where he visited the various field teams and the transit center whose capacity will be increased in the coming days.
          • Following the resurgence of patients in Beni, Dr. Oly Ilunga said that one of the key lessons learned in this tenth epidemic is to rely on the health system. "If we really want to solve this epidemic and have a lasting impact, we need to strengthen the health system by working with the actors in this system and with the community," he said adding that this is how we can quickly stop this new outbreak in the city of Beni.
          • He recalled that the declaration of this epidemic as an international public health emergency requires other countries to strengthen border surveillance, while for the response, the declaration recognizes the work that is being done as well as the performance of the response. managed to contain the epidemic in an extremely complex context.
          • This statement also stresses the need for a response with greater coordination and consultation. Another point that Minister Oly Ilunga always insists on is the accountability of all actors on the ground, the sharing of information, the measurement of performance, and the use of data to guide and improve action. ground.
          ...



          "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



          • Translation Google

            DRC-Ebola: the response goes under the direction of Felix Tshisekedi through a team led by Prof. Muyembe

            Saturday, July 20, 2019 - 15:35

            Following the WHO's decision to consider this epidemic as an international emergency, the Head of State led a meeting at the AU City on Friday for a strategic reassessment meeting.

            Felix Tshisekedi has changed the configuration of the team to lead the response to the Ebola outbreak.

            "The response to the Ebola outbreak is now under the direct supervision of His Excellency the President of the Republic. To this end, it is decided to entrust the responsibility of the technical secretariat of the multisectoral committee to a team of experts, under the direction of Professor Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, "said a statement signed by Vital Kamerhe, chief of staff of F?lix Tshisekedi transmitted to ACTUALITE.CD
            ...


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

            DRC: Six experts will accompany Professor Muyembe in the new team that will coordinate the fight against Ebola

            Saturday, July 20th, 2019 - 15:54
            ...
            Professor Jean Jacques Muyembe Tamfum is appointed Technical Secretary. He will be assisted by Dr. Benoit Kebela Ilunga. Professors Michel Kaswa, Steve Ahuka, Jean-Marie Kayembe, Patrick Kayembe and Dr. Dieudonn? Mwamba are the experts who will accompany Professor Muyembe.

            Jean-Jacques Muyembe Tamfun was part of the research team investigating the first known outbreak of Ebola virus disease in 1976. He worked at the Institut Pasteur in Dakar (Senegal) in 1981 and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States of America, also in 1981, in the Special Pathogens section to study Ebola and Marburg viruses. He has chaired several international committees for the fight against Ebola outbreaks. He was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Kinshasa in 1978, after obtaining a Ph.D. in Virology at the University of Louvain, Belgium (1973), and his doctorate of Medicine at the University of Lovanium , in Kinshasa (1969).
            ...


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

            Ebola: Tshisekedi gives full powers to Muyembe for "urgent innovative measures"

            Sunday, July 21st, 2019 - 12:47
            ...
            This technical secretariat led by Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe has almost full powers. It will ensure the implementation of the response, the coordination of all activities for monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the operational plan. It is also Muyembe and six other experts under his responsibility who will prepare the plan for resource mobilization and technical assistance and will animate the periodic consultation framework with the partners of the response. The communiqu? signed by Vital Kamerhe, chief of staff of the President of the Republic, adds that this secretariat is responsible for implementing "all urgent innovative measures".
            ...
            However, this new setup is not yet clearly defined, let alone the role that the Ministry of Health will play in the coordination given that there is a risk of several approaches in the response: between the vision of the international humanitarian community involved in the response, that of the United Nations led, since May, by the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in the DRC, David Gressly - now UN Chief of Emergency Response for Ebola, EERC. There is also the vision of the Department of Health, which insists on a public health strategy that takes into account community aspects and focuses on the long term, such as access to drinking water.
            ...

            "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


            • Translation Google

              Beni: Unknown people burn two buildings at the Vuhesi health center

              Posted on Sun, 21/07/2019 - 13:01 | Edited on Sun, 21/07/2019 - 13:01

              Two buildings of the Vuhesi Health Center in the Vuhovi Zone in Bashu Chiefdom in the Beni Territory were set on fire on Saturday night, Sunday, July 21st.

              According to the NGO Union of committed citizens for democracy and development, the burned buildings are those that house all the services of this health center. According to Moise Kiputulu, coordinator of this NGO, the authors of this act are not yet identified.

              The same source said that for the past few days, the nurses at the Vuhesi health center have been threatened by strangers because of their involvement in the Ebola response.

              The Ebola virus triage center installed in this facility was not affected by the fire.

              Deux bâtiments du centre de santé Vuhesi dans la Zone de Vuhovi en chefferie de Bashu dans le territoire de Beni ont été incendiés dans la nuit de samedi à ce dimanche 21 juillet. Selon l’ONG Union des citoyens engagés pour la démocratie et le développement, les bâtiments incendiés sont ceux qui abritent tous les services de ce centre santé. D’après Moise Kiputulu, coordonnateur de cette ONG, les auteurs de cet acte ne sont pas encore identifiés.
              "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



              • Credit RadioOkapi

                --------------------------------------------
                (From a blog)

                Translation Google


                JUL 21

                3 cases of Ebola in Mambasa Center

                The laboratory confirmed 3 cases of ebola in Mambasa Center in the last days. One was confirmed last Monday. It was an 8-year-old child who died at the Mambasa Reference General Hospital. The second confirmed case is an 18-year-old woman from Dome. She died on Wednesday still at the Mambasa Reference General Hospital. The third positive case was reported this Friday at the Mama wa Yezu hospital center belonging to the Catholic missionary priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus congregation in Mambasa. The response team rushed to disinfect the hospitals. in the Komanda-Irumu laboratory add medical sources.

                Johnson Vahwere


                "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


                • Translation google
                  EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
                  EVOLUTION OF THE EBOLA EPIDEMIC IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

                  Sunday 21 July 2019


                  The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated July 20, 2019 :
                  • Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 2,578, of which 2,484 are confirmed and 94 are probable. In total, there were 1,737 deaths (1,643 confirmed and 94 probable) and 729 people cured.
                  • 361 suspected cases under investigation;
                  • 14 new confirmed cases, including 9 in Beni, 4 in Oicha and 1 in Mandima;
                  • 9 new confirmed case deaths:
                    • 2 community deaths in Beni;
                    • 7 CTE / CT deaths, including 4 in Beni and 3 in Mabalako;
                  • 3 people healed out of CTE Butembo.
                  ...
                  "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


                  • Translation Google

                    Dr. Olymember @OlyIlunga 2h2 hours ago More

                    Following the decision of the @ Presidence_RDC to manage the # Ebola epidemic, I resigned as Minister of Health on Monday. It was an honor to be able to put my expertise at the service of our Nation during these two important years of our History.
                    ...


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

                    Translation Google

                    Urgent: Minister of Health Oly Ilunga has resigned on Monday

                    Posted Mon 22/07/2019 - 14:36
                    7sur7

                    The announcement was made by Oly Ilunga this Monday, July 22, 2019 via his Twitter account. The Minister of Health has confirmed his resignation.

                    In his letter of resignation addressed to the head of state F?lix Antoine Tshisekedi, the minister of health indicates that there can not exist several centers of decision at the risk of creating confusions in the response against Ebola.

                    "As in any war, because that is what it is about in this fight, the lines of command must be clearly identified and defined.There can't be several decision centers at the risk of creating confusion and cacophony prejudicial to the riposte, "wrote Oly Ilunga.

                    According to him, the uniqueness in the management of such a response responds to the triple imperative of efficiency, coherence of decisions and accountability.

                    "Thus drawing the consequences of Your decision to place the response to the Ebola outbreak under your direct supervision, and anticipating the prejudicial cacophony of response that will inevitably result from this decision, I hereby come to submit my resignation as Minister of Health ", concludes Oly Ilunga

                    Jephtha Kitsita

                    L'annonce a été faite par Oly Ilunga ce lundi 22 juillet 2019 via son compte Twitter. Le ministre de la santé a donc confirmé sa démission. Dans sa lettre de démission adressée au chef de l'État Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, le ministre de la santé indique qu'il ne peut exister plusieurs centres de décision au risque de créer des confusions dans la riposte contre 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


                    • WORLD NEWSJULY 22, 2019 / 8:56 AM / UPDATED 3 HOURS AGO

                      Congo minister's resignation over Ebola snub could unblock new vaccine

                      Fiston Mahamba
                      3 MIN READ

                      GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) -
                      ...
                      In his resignation letter, the minister criticised pressure by unnamed ?actors? to deploy the second vaccine, manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and backed by the WHO.
                      ...
                      Ilunga has said the J&J vaccine has not been proved effective and that deploying a second one would confuse people in eastern Congo, where health workers are struggling to overcome widespread misinformation about the haemorrhagic fever as well as sporadic hostility.
                      ...
                      The WHO and other international donors including medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres have publicly supported using the second vaccine, of which 1.5 million doses are available.

                      A WHO spokesman said the organisation was grateful for Ilunga?s leadership and dedication and looked forward to ?working closely with the new coordination team as we have with the previous one?.

                      "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


                      • Translation Google
                        EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
                        EVOLUTION OF THE EBOLA EPIDEMIC IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

                        Monday, July 22, 2019


                        The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 21 July 2019 :
                        • Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 2,592, of which 2,498 are confirmed and 94 are probable. In total, there were 1,743 deaths (1,649 confirmed and 94 probable) and 729 people healed.
                        • 272 suspected cases under investigation;
                        • 14 new confirmed cases, including 10 in Beni, 2 in Mandima, 1 in Oicha and 1 in Mutwanga;
                        • 6 new confirmed case deaths:
                          • 3 community deaths including 1 in Beni, 1 in Mandima and 1 in Mutwanga;
                          • 3 deaths at the CTE of Beni.
                        ...

                        Change in coordination of the response to Ebola Virus Disease
                        • A communiqu? of the Presidency of the Republic announced this Saturday, July 20, 2019, the establishment of a technical secretariat under the direct supervision of the Head of State to coordinate the response against the EVD in North Kivu and Ituri. This technical secretariat is headed by Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, who was also chairman of the laboratory committee in coordinating the current response since August 2018.
                        • As a result of the change and out of respect for the new arrangements, the Minister of Health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, has resigned to give the new team appointed by the Presidency every chance of success. In his letter of resignation, he recalled that the uniqueness of the government's position in the face of the epidemic was important to avoid creating harmful confusion for the rest of the response. Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga's resignation letter is available here .
                        • As a result, all communications related to the response will now be managed directly by the Presidency. Thus, this newsletter is the last newsletter on the Ebola outbreak sent by the press team of the Ministry of Health. Thank you for having followed us all these months.
                        ...
                        140 Contaminated health workers
                        2 health workers are among the new confirmed cases
                        of Beni (unvaccinated) and Oicha (unknown vaccination status).
                        The cumulative number of confirmed / probable cases among health workers is 140 (5% of all confirmed / probable cases), including 41 deaths.

                        ...


                        "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

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                        • Translation Google

                          Ituri: Ten people die of Ebola in less than two weeks in Mambasa

                          Bunia, 23 July 2019 (ACP) .- Ten (10) people with Ebola have already died within two (2) weeks in Esome village, located at PK 26 on the Beni road in Mambasa territory, said Tuesday to the local press, Idriss Koma Kokodila, the administrator of this entity, located 165km from Bunia.

                          He attributed these deaths to the resistance of the population of this village who do not believe in the existence of this epidemic and who thinks rather of an invention of the humanitarian actors so that they seize money.

                          The administrator of the Mambasa territory expressed the fear of seeing the large-scale spread of this disease in his entity as a result of population movements from that village to Beni and Mambasa center. He recommends the listing of all contacts with positive cases in order to vaccinate them. ACP / FNG / ZNG / Wet / JFM

                          "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


                          • NEWS 24 JULY 2019

                            Science under fire: Ebola researchers fight to test drugs and vaccines in a war zone
                            ...
                            Working in a conflict zone has forced researchers to adapt and persevere to an extraordinary degree. They have learned how to conduct rigorous studies in areas where killings, abductions and arson are commonplace, and where Ebola responders have come under repeated attack. Although biomedical advances alone cannot defeat Ebola, scientists studying this outbreak remain hopeful that their growing knowledge will help end it ? and limit those to come.

                            ?It is not easy,? says Jean Jacques Muyembe Tamfum, a microbiologist who helped to discover Ebola and now directs the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) in Kinshasa. ?You are doing this and people are shooting.?

                            He and other Congolese researchers are also working to ensure that any advances will benefit their homeland, which has experienced more Ebola outbreaks than any other. ?It is very important to have the research done here because at the end of the day, Ebola is our problem,? says Sabue Mulangu, an infectious-disease researcher at the INRB.
                            ...
                            Despite this difficult environment, the drug trial is nearing completion. Researchers are 14 people shy of their goal of enrolling 545 participants, a threshold that should allow them to draw strong conclusions about the drugs? efficacy. But there are already hints that the treatments are working. The mortality rate at Ebola treatment centres, where all patients receive one of the experimental drugs, is 35?40% ? compared with 67% overall in this outbreak. The latter figure reflects the large number of people who have died at home or in facilities that aren?t equipped to treat 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



                            • Translation Google

                              DRC: 14 Ebola deaths at Some, near Mambasa

                              Posted Thursday, 25/07/2019 - 11:03 |
                              ...
                              Fourteen people died within about a month of the Ebola outbreak in 17 confirmed cases in Some, a locality 26 kilometers from Mambasa center in Mandima health area (Ituri) . The last case of death was recorded on Monday, announced the coordinator of the response to the Ebola epidemic in Ituri, Christophe Shako, Wednesday, July 24 to Radio Okapi. He regretted, however, strong resistance from the community to collaborate with the response teams.

                              Popular resistance may facilitate the spread of this disease in the region, dread Christophe Shako. Accessibility is easier at Some, which is closer to Mambasa.

                              "We have a total of seventeen confirmed cases at Some. And among the seventeen confirmed cases; we have fourteen dead. It's a time bomb. And even the population of Some begins to move, " said Christophe Shako.

                              Some people who come to Mambasa and return to other cities, he said, may spread the Ebola outbreak.

                              The other problem is related to the strong resistance on the part of the population. "The people who are next to the confirmed cases - all the family members, the community - are not well identified. The high-risk contacts escape us, since the teams of the response can not work calmly at Some, because of the reluctance of the population, " explained Mr. Shako.

                              When the teams of the riposte are not able to get their hands on these people, according to Christophe Shako, it becomes complicated to follow them and vaccinate them. This represents a real threat to the community.


                              La résistance populaire risque de faciliter la propagation de cette maladie dans la région, redoute Christophe Shako.
                              "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: https://www.who.int/csr/don/25-july-2019-ebola-drc/en/
                                Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

                                Disease outbreak news: Update
                                25 July 2019

                                The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in Democratic Republic of the Congo is ongoing amidst a complex crisis, and we continue to observe sustained local transmission and a high number of cases. Most notably, Beni Health Zone accounted for over half of all new cases reported in the last three weeks, as well as a number of cases and contacts that travelled to other health zones. This is the second wave of the outbreak in Beni Health Zone, and it is larger in case numbers and longer in duration than the first. New healthcare worker and nosocomial infections continue to be reported in Beni and other affected health zones, despite substantial infection prevention and control by multiple agencies during the last wave of the outbreak; a total of 141 (5% of total cases) have been reported to date.
                                The intensive follow-up of contacts of the confirmed case who arrived in Goma on 14 July (see the 18 July Disease Outbreak News) will continue until the end of the 21-day period. In response to this case, 19 health workers were deployed from other posts to Goma to provide support. Rumours of his contacts travelling to Bukavu, South Kivu, were investigated and ruled out by response teams. No new cases have been reported in Goma to date. There are currently no confirmed cases of EVD outside of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
                                The first pillar of the fourth Strategic Response Plan (SRP4) for the control of the EVD outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was shared earlier this week by the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with support from an international consortium of partners working on the response. The first pillar covers the core public health response to the outbreak. Other pillars of the plan are being finalized and will be progressively released.
                                In the 21 days from 3 July through 23 July 2019, 64 health areas within 18 health zones reported new cases, representing 10% of the 664 health areas within North Kivu and Ituri provinces (Figure 2). During this period, a total of 242 confirmed cases were reported, the majority of which were from the health zones of Beni (53%, n=129), Mandima (11%, n=26), Mabalako (10%, n=23), and Katwa (7%, n=17) (Table 1). As of 23 July 2019, a total of 2612 EVD cases were reported, including 2518 confirmed and 94 probable cases, of which 1756 cases died (overall case fatality ratio 67%). Of the total confirmed and probable cases, 56% (1470) were female, and 29% (744) were children aged less than 18 years. Bunia, Kyondo and Musienene health zones all recently cleared 21 days since their last reported case. However, high risks remain for the virus to be reintroduced to these areas, requiring teams to remain fully resourced and vigilant.
                                Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 23 July 2019*




                                Enlarge image
                                *Data in recent weeks are subject to delays in case confirmation and reporting, as well as ongoing data cleaning. Other health zones include: Alimbongo, Ariwara, Biena, Bunia, Goma, Kalunguta, Kayna, Komanda, Kyondo, Lubero, Mangurujipa, Masereka, Mutwanga, Nyankunde, Oicha, Rwampara and Tchomia.
                                Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 23 July 2019*




                                Enlarge image
                                Table 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases, and number of health areas affected, by health zone, North Kivu and Ituri provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo, data as of 23 July 2019**




                                Enlarge image
                                **Total cases and areas affected based during the last 21 days are based on the initial date of case alert and may differ from date of confirmation and daily reporting by the Ministry of Health.
                                Public health response

                                For further detailed information about the public health response actions by the MoH, WHO, and partners, please refer to the latest situation reports published by the WHO Regional Office for Africa:
                                WHO risk assessment

                                WHO continuously monitors changes to the epidemiological situation and context of the outbreak to ensure that support to the response is adapted to the evolving circumstances. The last assessment concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low.
                                Substantial rates of transmission continue within outbreak affected areas of North Kivu and Ituri provinces, with demonstrated extension to new (high risk) areas and across borders in recent months, although without sustained local transmission in these areas. The high proportion of community deaths, relatively low proportion of new cases who were known contacts under surveillance, existence of transmission chains linked to nosocomial infection, persistent delays in detection and isolation, and challenges in accessing some communities due to insecurity and pockets of community reticence are all factors increasing the likelihood of further chains of transmission in affected communities. The security situation is characterised by the resurgence of activities from non-state armed groups within all major areas of operations. Increased ADF activities also led to continuous clashes with FARDC in the areas north-east of Beni in the Oicha and Erengeti areas. In order to facilitate staff safety and security, and continuity of activities, the operational area continues to be closely monitored and assessed, and security mitigation measures implemented. Additional risks are posed by the long duration of the current outbreak, fatigue amongst response staff, and ongoing strain on limited resources and funding.
                                The abovementioned risks, coupled with high rates of population movement from outbreak affected areas to other areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and across porous borders to neighbouring countries, increase the risk of geographical spread ? both within the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to neighbouring countries. Conversely, substantive operational readiness and preparedness activities in a number of neighbouring countries have likely increased capacity to rapidly detect cases and mitigate local spread. These efforts must continue to be scaled-up.
                                WHO advice

                                On 17 July 2019, the Director-General convened the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) to review the situation on the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Director-General accepted the Emergency Committee?s recommendation that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Further information, including temporary recommendations advised by the Emergency Committee, is available in the statement, speech by WHO Director General, and news release.
                                WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, and trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on the currently available information. There is currently no licensed vaccine to protect people from the Ebola virus. Therefore, any requirements for certificates of Ebola vaccination are not a reasonable basis for restricting movement across borders or the issuance of visas for travellers to/from the affected countries. WHO continues to closely monitor and, if necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event. Currently, no country has implemented travel measures that significantly interfere with international traffic to and from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Travellers should seek medical advice before travel and should practice good hygiene. Further information is available in the WHO recommendations for international traffic related to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
                                For more information, please see:

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