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

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  • Source: https://www.who.int/csr/don/31-octob...-ebola-drc/en/
    Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

    Disease outbreak news: Update
    31 October 2019



    The ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces saw a stabilization in the number of new cases this past week, with 19 confirmed cases reported in the past week (23–29 October), essentially equivalent to the 20 confirmed cases the week before. The majority (63%) of newly confirmed cases link back to chains of transmission in Biakato Mine Health Area, Mandima Health Zone, including a further three cases detected outside of Mandima in individuals who recently travelled from Biakato.

    Onward local transmission has been observed in a limited number of towns and villages within family/social networks or health centers where cases visited prior to their detection and admission to treatment. In Mabalako, seven new cases were reported, of which two were linked to Biakato, two reported local family contact, and two were contacts within local health facilities, suggesting possible nosocomial exposure; investigations are ongoing for the remaining case. In Mambasa Health Zone, one additional case was reported, linked to a large cluster of cases. In Butembo, after over 21 days with no cases, two were reported this week. Both were residents of Kalunguta Health Zone where they were likely exposed. Thus far, there is no evidence of onward transmission in Butembo; nonetheless, these events demonstrate the high risks of reintroduction and resurgence in previously cleared health zones.

    During the past 21 days (from 9 – 29 October), 59 confirmed cases were reported from eight active health zones in North Kivu and Ituri provinces (Figure 2, Table 1) with the majority reported in three health zones: Mandima (49%, n=29), Mabalako (20%, n=12), and Mambasa (10%, n=6). As of 29 October, a total of 3269 EVD cases were reported, including 3152 confirmed and 117 probable cases, of which 2182 cases died (overall case fatality ratio 67%). Of the total confirmed and probable cases, 56% (n=1841) were female, 28% (n=926) were children aged less than 18 years, and 5% (n=163) were health workers. Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 29 October 2019*





    Enlarge image



    *Excludes n=184 cases for whom onset dates not reported. 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, Lolwa, Lubero, Manguredjipa, Masereka, Musienene, Mutwanga, Mwenga, Nyankunde, Nyiragongo, Oicha, Pinga, Rwampara, Tchomia, and Vuhovi. . Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of reported cases by health areas. Data as of 29 October 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 29 October 2019**





    Enlarge image



    **Total cases and areas affected 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 information about public health response actions by the Ministry of Health, 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, carried out on 8 October 2019, concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low.

    While the relatively lower case incidence observed is encouraging, it must be interpreted with caution as the situation remains highly contingent upon the level of access and security within affected communities. Concurrent with the decline in case incidence, there was a further shift in hotspots from urban settings to more rural, hard-to-reach communities, within a more concentrated geographical area. These areas bring additional challenges to the response, including an extremely volatile security situation; difficulty accessing some remote areas; delays to engaging with the community which in turn lead to mistrust and misunderstandings; and, potential under-reporting of cases. In such environments, risks of resurgence remain very high, as do the risks of re-dispersion of the outbreak with cases travelling outside of hotspots to seek healthcare or for other reasons. These risks continue to be mitigated by the substantial response and preparedness activities in the DRC and neighbouring countries, with support from a consortium of international partners. 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 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:

    Comment


    • Translation Google

      Ituri: Lwemba Community Radio reporter killed by gunmen

      Posted on Sun, 03/11/2019 - 11:17 | Edited on Sun, 03/11/2019 - 11:24

      In Ituri, armed men identified in May-May attacked Lwemba, located 55 kilometers south of Mambasa center, on Saturday, November 3.

      According to the Organization for the Defense of Human Rights Convention for the Development of Forest Peoples (CODEPEF), dozens of men armed with rifles and machetes raided Lwemba-mahulo in the Babila-Teturi group as chieftaincy chiefs. babombi around 20 hours.

      The same source, these assailants fired shots before breaking into the house of a journalist from the Community Radio Lwemba.

      The latter, aged thirty-five was killed on the field.

      His wife was badly wounded with a machete in her private parts.

      The victim was involved in the response to Ebola as a community relay.

      His house was burned. His sixteen year old child managed to escape during the attack, he was found this Sunday.

      According to local sources, the journalist had just hosted an awareness program on Ebola on his radio before this tragedy happened.

      The CODEPEF condemns the umpteenth attack of the locality of Lwemba in less than two weeks by armed men. It challenges the authorities as to the safety of people and their property. The Mambasa Territory Administrator indicates that security measures will be strengthened in this entity to prevent further attacks in this area.



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

      OLPA demands investigation after assassination of a journalist in Lwemba, Ituri

      Posted on Mon, 04/11/2019 - 08:26 | Edited Mon, 04/11/2019 - 09:41

      The Observatory of Press Freedom in Africa (OLPA), requires a serious investigation after the murder of journalist Papy Mahamba Mumbere, journalist at the community radio Lwemba (RCL) station emitting in the village Lwemba located about fifty kilometers from Mambasa center in the province of El'Ituri.

      In a statement dated November 3, published in Goma, OLPA reports that Papy Mahamba Mumbere was savagely murdered in the evening of November 2, 2019, at his home, by unidentified individuals with knives. "After mutilating the journalist, the attackers also wounded the journalist's wife before burning down her residence," the organization said.

      The journalist was also involved in Ebola response operations in that part of the country as a community worker.

      According to this Congolese organization for the defense and promotion of freedom of the press, since the end of September 2019, several radio stations in the Mambasa territory have decided to stop broadcasting the programs on the fight against the Ebola virus as a result of the the hostility of a large section of the population to the response to Ebola.

      OLPA condemns this assassination and calls on the Ituri authorities to conduct serious investigations to elucidate the circumstances of this heinous act, in order to find the intellectual and material perpetrators of this crime. "

      "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


      • The Ministry of Health and the United Nations condemn attack on health worker supporting the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

        Goma, 3 November 2019 – The interministerial technical secretariat of the response to the Ebola outbreak, the Ministry of Health and their partners from the United Nations (the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Emergency Ebola Response Operations (UNEERO)) condemn in the strongest possible terms the violence that took place last night in Lwemba in Ituri Province, in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

        The violence caused the death of an Ebola response community health worker and left his spouse critically injured with multiple wounds.

        The victim was also a reporter for a community radio station in Lwemba and was involved in raising the awareness of his community regarding the country’s tenth Ebola outbreak, which began over a year ago and is impacting the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu.

        The motive behind the attack is still unclear.

        Authorities have begun an investigation of the murder and are looking into whether it is connected to the ongoing Ebola response. Two suspects have been apprehended.

        Any act of violence against individuals involved with the response is unacceptable and compromises the ability of health workers to provide assistance to communities impacted by the devastating effects of Ebola.

        All relevant authorities, including the Congolese National Police, the National Intelligence Agency and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are working to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous act are brought to justice as swiftly as possible.

        The interministerial technical secretariat of the response to the Ebola outbreak, the Ministry of Health and its United Nations partners (WHO, UNICEF and UNEERO) offer their deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of those affected by this tragedy and to the broader community where this violence took place.

        Since 1 January 2019, WHO has documented more than 300 attacks on health care that have caused 6 deaths and 70 injuries of health care workers and patients in the country.

        Every attack sets back the Ebola response, which cannot function without an environment conducive for response teams to access and help the population.

        https://www.afro.who.int/news/minist...ebola-response
        "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


        • Outbreaks and Emergencies Bulletin, Week 44: 28 October - 3 November 2019
          ...
          Ebola virus disease Democratic Republic of the Congo

          3 274 Cases
          2 185 Deaths
          67% CFR

          EVENT DESCRIPTION

          The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu, South Kivu
          and Ituri provinces in Democratic Republic of the Congo continues,
          with seven health zones and 15 health areas reporting confirmed
          cases in the past 21 days (13 October to 2 November 2019). Since
          our last report on 27 October 2019 (Weekly Bulletin 43), there have
          been 11 new confirmed cases and five new deaths. The principle hot
          spots of the outbreak in the past 21 days are Mandima (53%; n=28
          cases), Mabalako (25%; n=13 cases) and Mamabasa (11%; n=6).
          Four health zones, Mandima, Mabalako, Beni and Mambasa have
          reported new confirmed cases in the past seven days.

          As of 2 November 2019, a total of 3 274 EVD cases, including
          3 157 confirmed and 117 probable cases have been reported. To
          date, confirmed cases have been reported from 29 health zones:
          Ariwara (1), Bunia (4), Komanda (56), Lolwa (6), Mambasa (78),
          Mandima (338), Nyakunde (2), Rwampara (8) and Tchomia (2) in
          Ituri Province; Alimbongo (5), Beni (680), Biena (18), Butembo
          (285), Goma (1), Kalunguta (193), Katwa (651), Kayna (28), Kyondo
          (25), Lubero (31), Mabalako (386), Manguredjipa (18), Masereka
          (50), Musienene (84), Mutwanga (32), Nyiragongo (3), Oicha (62),
          Pinga (1) and Vuhovi (103) in North Kivu Province and Mwenga (6)
          in South Kivu Province.

          As of 2 November 2019, a total of 2 185 deaths were recorded,
          including 2 068 among confirmed cases, resulting in a case fatality
          ratio among confirmed cases of 65% (2 068/3 157). The cumulative
          number of health workers remains 163, which is 5% of the confirmed
          and probable cases to date.

          Contact tracing is ongoing in ten health zones. A total of 6 078
          contacts are under follow-up as of 2 November 2019, of which
          5 237 have been seen in the past 24 hours, comprising 86% of the
          contacts. Alerts in the affected provinces continue to be raised and
          investigated. Of 4 165 alerts processed (of which 4 068 were new) in
          reporting health zones on 2 November 2019, 4 075 were investigated
          and 513 (13%) were validated as suspected cases.

          PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

          Surveillance activities continue, including case investigations,
          active case finding in health facilities and communities, and
          identification and listing of contacts around the latest confirmed
          cases. Cross-border collaboration continues, particularly with
          Uganda and Rwanda.

          As of 2 November 2019, a cumulative total of 246 672 people
          have been vaccinated since the start of the outbreak in August
          2018.

          Point of Entry/Point of Control (PoE/PoC) screening continues,
          with over 113 million screenings to date. A total of 109/112
          (96%) PoE/PoC transmitted reports as of 2 November 2019.

          There are continued community reintegration and psychosocial
          activities for patients discharged from ETCs, along with
          psychoeducation sessions to strengthen community engagement
          and collaboration in the response.

          Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities continue, with
          a campaign to promote hand hygiene finished in Biakato on 2
          November 2019, while hygienists in the Base of Life briefed on
          standard PCI procedures.

          Community awareness and mobilization messages are being updated, revised and
          harmonized and have been pre-tested by the commission and will subsequently
          be shared in coordination and sub-coordination activities.

          Biakato’s sub-coordination teams have intensified the message of risk
          communication and community engagement in the reintegration of cured patients
          in the health areas of Lwemba and Biakato Mines along with a community dialogue
          held with grassroots leaders and women and youth associations to further
          strengthen community involvement.

          SITUATION INTERPRETATION

          Substantive rates of transmission remain in Mandima Health Zone, with smaller clusters
          elsewhere, which require a concerted effort from all response teams and international
          partners to control. Movement of symptomatic cases still occurs
          , so it is critical that
          all areas of the response remain effective, engaged and fully resourced, with response
          activities continuing to be scaled and adapted to the evolving local context.


          The WHO Health Emergencies Programme is currently monitoring 68 events in the region. This week's edition covers key new and ongoing events, including: Measles in Lesotho Hepatitis E in Namibia Humanitarian crisis in Mali Ebola virus disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
          "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 EPIDEMIC IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI AT NOVEMBER 04, 2019

            Tuesday, November 05, 2019
            • Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 3,282, of which 3,164 are confirmed and 118 are probable. In total, there were 2,188 deaths (2070 confirmed and 118 probable) and 1059 people healed.
            • 542 suspected cases under investigation;
            • 1 probable case in North Kivu at Kalunguta;
            • 7 new confirmed cases, including:
            • 6 in North Kivu, including 3 in Beni and 3 in Mabalako;
            • 1 in Ituri in Mandima;
            • 2 new confirmed deaths in North Kivu, including:
            • 1 community death in Beni;
            • 1 confirmed death at the CTE of Beni;
            • 4 people cured out of ETCs, 3 in North Kivu, including 2 in Beni and 1 in Butembo, and 1 in Ituri in Mambasa;
            • No health workers are among the newly confirmed cases. The cumulative number of confirmed / probable cases among health workers is 161 (5% of all confirmed / probable cases), including 41 deaths;
            ...
            https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?u=...&id=696d38322e
            "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: activities still paralyzed after murder of journalist in Lwemba

              Posted on Tue, 05/11/2019 - 19:20 | Modified on Tue, 05/11/2019 - 19:20

              All health facilities are closed since Sunday in the locality of Lwemba in Mambasa territory after the murder of a journalist by armed men "who resist Ebola response measures," said Tuesday, November 5, the Defense Organization of human rights Convention for the Development of Forest Peoples (CODEPEF). Patients travel 18 kilometers on foot or on bicycles for treatment in the neighboring town of Biakato. The NGO also fears the spread of the Ebola epidemic in this area, where the response activities are suspended.

              Economic and academic activities slow down in Lwemba after Sunday's attack on gunmen who killed journalist Papy Mahamba. The consequences are more serious in the health field.

              Local sources specify health posts, health centers and pharmacies are also closed. All health workers and even the response team fled to Biakato, 18 kilometers away.

              They claim to be the target of armed men, "some of whom are hidden among the population. "This situation forces the patients of Lwemba to move to Biakato to seek treatment, using an impassable and unsecured road, lamented Laurent Keya, interim coordinator of CODEFEF.

              This NGO launches an alert to the authorities to save lives in distress and prevent the spread of Ebola in the area.

              The administrator of the Mambasa territory says a security meeting extended to partners in the fight against Ebola is being held on Tuesday, November 5 in Mambasa center. It is a question of stopping the necessary measures for the eradication of this epidemic.

              Armed men identified to the Mai-Mai attacked Lwemba, located 55 kilometers south of Mambasa center in Ituri, from Saturday to Sunday, November 3. According to the CODEPEF, dozens of men armed with rifles and machetes raided Lwemba-mahulo in the Babila-Teturi group in the Babila-Babombi chieftaincy around 20 hours. The same source, these assailants fired shots before entering the house of the journalist, they killed on the spot.

              Toutes les structures sanitaires sont fermées depuis dimanche dans la localité de Lwemba en territoire de Mambasa après le meurtre d’un journaliste par des hommes armés « qui résistent aux mesures de riposte contre Ebola », a indiqué mardi 5 novembre l’Organisation de défense des droits de l’homme Convention pour le développement des peuples forestiers (CODEPEF). Les malades parcourent 18 kilomètres à pied ou sur des vélos pour se faire soigner dans la localité voisine de Biakato.
              "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: motorcycles and drugs burned by the Mai-Mai at the Ngoyo health center in the city of Mangina

                November 7, 2019

                The alleged Mayi-Mayi rebel men raided the evening of Wednesday, November 6th, in Mangina, a city located more or less 27 kilometers west of the city of Beni in the territory bearing the same name, in the province of North Kivu.

                These outlaws specifically targeted the Ngoyo health center, which they attempted to torch many times.

                However, several batches of the drugs were destroyed by these strangers who also burned down at least three motorcycles that were on the scene, indicates a witness joined by the Writing of INTERVIEW.CD, the morning of this Thursday, November 7th.

                The same source added that these gun carrying gunmen who came from the Mabuku area, were looking for the nurse-in-charge (IT) of this health center, and an agent for the counter-attack. Ebola but he did not find.

                It should be noted that shortly before this crime, these bandits threatened another agent of the response to the Ebola virus disease that they beat and released a little later.

                "The unknown gun bearers visited the Ngoyo health center, destroyed drugs and burned three motorcycles. They were looking for the I.T of this health center. During the day, these thugs had arrested an agent of the Ebola response they typed, luckily he escaped, "a Mangina resident told interview.cd.

                The latter adds that these Mai-Mai have looted the property of citizens surrounding this health facility, without giving further details.

                It should be remembered that the fight against the Ebola virus disease is facing multiple resistance, not to mention the security challenge it faces in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri.

                Christopher Mulakirwa

                Les hommes présumés rebelles Maï-Maï ont fait incursion la soirée de ce mercredi 06 novembre, à Mangina, une cité située à plus ou moins 27 Kilomètres à


                "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/07-novem...-ebola-drc/en/
                  Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

                  Disease outbreak news: Update
                  7 November 2019



                  Fifteen confirmed cases were reported in the past week (30 October – 5 November) in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. While the number of new cases is consistent with the weekly average of 19 confirmed cases in the past 21 days, there is notable daily fluctuation of cases.

                  Violence this week in Lwemba Health Area in Mandima Health Zone caused the death of an Ebola response community health worker and left his spouse critically injured. WHO and partners condemned the attack, adding that acts of violence against individuals involved with the response are unacceptable and compromise the ability of health workers to assist communities impacted by the devastating effects of Ebola.

                  During the past 21 days (16 October – 5 November), 54 confirmed cases were reported from seven active health zones in North Kivu and Ituri provinces (Figure 2, Table 1) with the majority reported in four health zones: Mandima (39%, n= 21), Mabalako (31%, n= 17), Beni (11%, n= 6) , and Mambasa (11%, n= 6). The vast majority (83%) of these cases were linked to Biakato Mines Health Area in Mandima Health Zone, with the remaining 10 cases linked to known chains of transmission in Binase, Katwa and Lwemba Health Areas.

                  In this context, reintroduction into previously cleared or unaffected neighbouring areas can be expected and possible geographical spread should be closely assessed and monitored. Approximately half (51%) of the cases reported in the past 21 days were located outside of the health zone where they had got infected, with the majority of these movements going to or coming from Mandima Health Zone. An analysis of population movement indicates that travel within the region is directed eastward from Mambasa to Komanda and towards Bunia, southward between Mambasa and Mangina, and further south and south-east through Beni to Butembo, and all the way to Kasindi and crossing into Uganda. Points of entry and points of control continue to be strengthened by response teams based on movement of cases and populations. This week, a case was detected while traveling through a newly-opened point of control, reinforcing the importance of enhancing screening along these major passages, transitways and border points. An example of reinforcement activities underway is the introduction of a EVD laboratory in Kasindi Health Area in the past week, close to the border with Uganda. This will facilitate the rapid identification of cases and earlier initiation of response activities.

                  As of 5 November, a total of 3285 EVD cases were reported, including 3167 confirmed and 118 probable cases, of which 2191 cases died (overall case fatality ratio 67%). Of the total confirmed and probable cases, 56% (n= 1852) were female, 28% (n= 930) were children aged less than 18 years, and 5% (n= 163) were health workers. Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 5 November 2019*





                  Enlarge image



                  *Excludes n=184 cases for whom onset dates not reported. 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, Lolwa, Lubero, Manguredjipa, Masereka, Musienene, Mutwanga, Mwenga, Nyankunde, Nyiragongo, Oicha, Pinga, Rwampara, Tchomia, and Vuhovi. . Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of reported cases by health areas. Data as of 5 November 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 5 November 2019**





                  Enlarge image



                  **Total cases and areas affected 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 information about public health response actions by the Ministry of Health, 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, carried out on 8 October 2019, concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low.

                  While the relatively lower case incidence observed is encouraging, it must be interpreted with caution as the situation remains highly contingent upon the level of access and security within affected communities. Concurrent with the decline in case incidence, there was a shift in hotspots from urban settings to more rural, hard-to-reach communities, within a more concentrated geographical area. These areas bring additional challenges to the response, including an extremely volatile security situation, difficulty accessing some remote areas, delays to engaging with the community which in turn lead to mistrust and misunderstandings, and potential under-reporting of cases. In such environments, risks of resurgence remain very high, as do the risks of re-dispersion of the outbreak with cases travelling outside of hotspots to seek healthcare or for other reasons. These risks continue to be mitigated by the substantial response and preparedness activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries, with support from a consortium of international partners. 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 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:

                  Comment


                  • WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                    AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
                    Week 45: 4 November – 10 November 2019
                    Data as reported by: 17:00; 10 November 2019
                    ...
                    Ebola virus disease Democratic Republic of the Congo

                    3 287 Cases
                    2 193 Deaths
                    67% CFR

                    EVENT DESCRIPTION

                    The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu, South Kivu
                    and Ituri provinces in Democratic Republic of the Congo continues,
                    with seven health zones and 18 health areas reporting confirmed
                    cases in the past 21 days (20 October to 9 November 2019). Since
                    our last report on 3 November 2019 (Weekly Bulletin 44), there have
                    been 12 new confirmed cases and eight new deaths. The principle
                    hot spots of the outbreak in the past 21 days are Mandima (37%;
                    n=17 cases), Mabalako (37%; n=17 cases) and Beni (13%; n=6
                    cases). Three health zones, Mabalako, Beni and Mandima, have
                    reported new confirmed cases in the past seven days.

                    As of 9 November 2019, a total of 3 287 EVD cases, including
                    3 169 confirmed and 118 probable cases have been reported. To
                    date, confirmed cases have been reported from 29 health zones:
                    Ariwara (1), Bunia (4), Komanda (56), Lolwa (6), Mambasa (78),
                    Mandima (339), Nyakunde (2), Rwampara (8) and Tchomia (2) in
                    Ituri Province; Alimbongo (5), Beni (685), Biena (18), Butembo
                    (285), Goma (1), Kalunguta (193), Katwa (651), Kayna (28), Kyondo
                    (25), Lubero (31), Mabalako (392), Manguredjipa (18), Masereka
                    (50), Musienene (84), Mutwanga (32), Nyiragongo (3), Oicha (62),
                    Pinga (1) and Vuhovi (103) in North Kivu Province and Mwenga (6)
                    in South Kivu Province.

                    As of 9 November 2019, a total of 2 193 deaths were recorded,
                    including 2 073 among confirmed cases, resulting in a case fatality
                    ratio among confirmed cases of 65% (2 075/3 169). The cumulative
                    number of health workers remains 163, which is 5% of the confirmed
                    and probable cases to date.

                    Contact tracing is ongoing in nine health zones. A total of 6 137
                    contacts are under follow-up as of 9 November 2019, of which 5
                    267 have been seen in the past 24 hours, comprising 86% of the
                    contacts. Alerts in the affected provinces continue to be raised and
                    investigated. Of 3 832 alerts processed (of which 3 846 were new) in
                    reporting health zones on 9 November 2019, 3 832 were investigated
                    and 482 (13%) were validated as suspected cases.

                    PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                    Surveillance activities continue, including case investigations,
                    active case finding in health facilities and communities, and
                    identification and listing of contacts around the latest confirmed
                    cases. Cross-border collaboration continues, particularly with
                    Uganda and Rwanda.

                    As of 9 November 2019, a cumulative total of 249 855 people
                    has been vaccinated since the start of the outbreak in August
                    2018.

                    Point of Entry/Point of Control (PoE/PoC) screening continues,
                    with over 116 million screenings to date. A total of 108/112
                    (96%) PoE/PoC transmitted reports as of 9 November 2019.
                    There are continued community reintegration and psychosocial
                    activities for patients discharged from ETCs, along with
                    psychoeducation sessions to strengthen community engagement
                    and collaboration in the response.

                    Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities continue, with five health
                    facilities and six out of seven households that were visited by confirmed cases
                    decontaminated. In addition, 54 households and four schools were provided with
                    PCI and WASH facilities.

                    Community awareness and mobilization messages are being updated, revised and
                    harmonized and have been pre-tested by the commission and will subsequently
                    be shared in coordination and sub-coordination activities.

                    A guided tour of the newly opened Ebola treatment centre in Kalunguta was
                    conducted to improve perceptions on the care of patients; in Biakato health area,
                    the leader of the ‘Vatican bloc’, once the instigator of community resistance, was
                    vaccinated in public to improve community perception of vaccination.

                    SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                    Substantive rates of transmission remain in Mandima Health Zone, with smaller clusters
                    elsewhere
                    , which require a concerted effort from all response teams and international
                    partners to control. Movement of symptomatic cases still occurs, so it is critical that
                    all areas of the response remain effective, engaged and fully resourced, with response
                    activities continuing to be scaled and adapted to the evolving local context.



                    The WHO Health Emergencies Programme is currently monitoring 66 events in the region. This week's edition covers key new and ongoing events, including: Measles in the Democratic Republic of Congo Humanitarian crisis in South Sudan Ebola virus disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo Humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso.

                    "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

                      Ebola in DRC: radio stops broadcasting for fear of reprisals

                      By RFI Published on 12-11-2019 Modified on 12-11-2019 at 02:36

                      A local radio committed to fighting the Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo announced on Monday that it stopped broadcasting for fear of reprisals that had already killed one of its journalists.

                      Lwemba community radio in Mambasa territory announced on Monday that it will stop broadcasting. In question: the threats hovering over the journalists engaged in the fight against the Ebola disease. On November 2, one of the radio hosts, Papy Mahamba, was murdered at his house by a group of the Mai Mai militia . His wife was injured and his house burned by the same aggressors. The director of the radio also reports escaping two kidnapping attempts.

                      For Franklin Yakani, acting administrator of Mambasa, the militia is attacking all actors in the fight against the Ebola epidemic. " Radio is the channel used to raise awareness [of the epidemic], because there is a group of people who deny the existence of the disease," he told RFI. Today, there are three targets. We have the radios, we also have the customary chiefs, who help to sensitize the population, and the staffs of international, national or local NGOs. "

                      Since September, several radio stations in the Mambasa area have decided to stop broadcasting Ebola programs because of the hostility of a large section of the population, according to a press organization. , OLPA.

                      "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

                        Ebola control: 22,000 doses of vaccines available in Goma

                        Posted on Wed, 13/11/2019 - 16:37 | Modified on Wed, 13/11/2019 - 16:37

                        The vaccination campaign against the Ebola virus disease with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be launched shortly. The news was announced Tuesday, November 12 in Goma by the team response to this disease, stating that at least twenty-two thousand doses of vaccines are already available in the capital of North Kivu.

                        The health areas of Majengo and Kahembe are targeted for this vaccination, according to the general coordinator of the Ebola response, Steve Ahuka Mundeke.

                        "The official launch will probably be done next week by the authorities. But, the beginning of the technical activities will begin this Thursday, November 14, "he said.

                        In the meantime, he continued, this team is raising awareness among communities about this new vaccine, organizing the technical circuit, setting up the centers where people will be vaccinated and "starting in a pilot way a small vaccination that we We will officially launch next week in the presence of our authorities. "

                        In Goma, for example, forecasts at this level of discussions about who to vaccinate will also depend on the evolution of the epidemic . "But for the moment, we have targeted the two sites: Kahembe and Majengo in the health zone of Karisimbi. We targeted 50,000 people, "Mundeke said.

                        La campagne de vaccination contre la maladie à virus Ebola avec le vaccin de la firme Johnson and Johnson sera lancé incessamment. La nouvelle a été annoncée mardi 12 novembre à Goma par l’équipe de riposte à cette maladie, précisant qu’au moins vingt-deux mille doses de vaccins sont déjà disponibles au chef-lieu du Nord-Kivu.. Les aires de santé de Majengo et Kahembe sont ciblées pour cette vaccination, selon le coordonnateur général de la riposte à Ebola, Steve Ahuka Mundeke. « Le lancement officiel sera sans doute fait la semaine prochaine par les autorités.
                        "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/14-novem...-ebola-drc/en/
                          Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

                          Disease outbreak news: Update
                          14 November 2019



                          Six new confirmed cases were reported in the past week (6 to 12 November) in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. All six cases resulted from local transmission in Beni and in Mabalako Health Zones, and all were known contacts of a confirmed case. While all cases can be linked to earlier transmission chains in Biakato Mines Health Area, Mandima Health Zone, that health area has not reported a case since 4 November.

                          In the past week, Kalunguta Health Zone reported 21 days with no new confirmed EVD cases and Katwa Health Zone cleared 42 days with no new confirmed cases. As the number of cases decreases steadily, other case indicators appear to be encouraging. The proportion of registered contacts among cases prior to symptom onset is increasing over time, reaching 100% (6/6) in the past 7 days. Trends in proportion of community deaths among confirmed cases have also improved. In past 3 weeks, 12% (3/34) of cases were community deaths, compared to 28% (17/61) in the previous 3-week period (9-29 October) and 33% over the course of the entire outbreak. AA shorter delay from symptom onset to admission to isolation of alive EVD patients has also been reported. Between 24 August and 1 October 2019 the delay averaged 4.1 days, compared to 3.2 days between 2 October and 12 November 2019.

                          However, concerns remain around the recent shift of cases to Mabalako Health Zone. In the past 21 days (23 October – 12 November), 40 confirmed cases were reported from five active health zones in North Kivu and Ituri provinces (Figure 2, Table 1) with the majority reported in three health zones: Mabalako (40%, n= 16), Mandima (33%, n= 13), and Beni (20%, n= 8). Ongoing local transmission in Bingo and Ngoyo Health Areas in Mabalako Health Zone is challenging because security issues have caused access and response difficulties in these areas.

                          As of 12 November, a total of 3291 EVD cases were reported, including 3173 confirmed and 118 probable cases, of which 2193 cases died (overall case fatality ratio 67%). Of the total confirmed and probable cases, 56% (n=1856) were female, 28% (n=930) were children aged less than 18 years, and 5% (n=163) were health workers.

                          This week the World Health Organization prequalified an Ebola vaccine for the first time. The injectable Ebola vaccine, Ervebo, manufactured by Merck (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) has met WHO standards for quality, safety and efficacy and can now be procured for at-risk countries by United Nations agencies and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This decision will not have an immediate impact on the availability of the vaccine or how current doses are used in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but is a step towards greater availability in the future. Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 12 November 2019*





                          Enlarge image



                          *Excludes n=184 cases for whom onset dates not reported. 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, Lolwa, Lubero, Manguredjipa, Masereka, Musienene, Mutwanga, Mwenga, Nyankunde, Nyiragongo, Oicha, Pinga, Rwampara, Tchomia, and Vuhovi. . Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of reported cases by health areas. Data as of 12 November 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 12 November 2019**





                          Enlarge image



                          **Total cases and areas affected 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 information about public health response actions by the Ministry of Health, 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, carried out on 8 October 2019, concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low.

                          While the relatively lower case incidence observed is encouraging, it must be interpreted with caution as the situation remains highly contingent upon the level of access and security within affected communities. Concurrent with the decline in case incidence, there was a shift in hotspots from urban settings to more rural, hard-to-reach communities, within a more concentrated geographical area. These areas bring additional challenges to the response, including an extremely volatile security situation, difficulty accessing some remote areas, delays to engaging with the community which in turn lead to mistrust and misunderstandings, and potential under-reporting of cases. In such environments, risks of resurgence remain very high, as do the risks of re-dispersion of the outbreak with cases travelling outside of hotspots to seek healthcare or for other reasons. These risks continue to be mitigated by the substantial response and preparedness activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighboring countries, with support from a consortium of international partners. 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. 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:

                          Comment




                          • WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                            AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

                            Week 46: 11 - 17 November 2019
                            Data as reported by: 17:00; 17 November 2019
                            ...

                            Ebola virus disease Democratic Republic of the Congo

                            3 292 Cases
                            2 195 Deaths
                            67% CFR

                            EVENT DESCRIPTION

                            The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu, South Kivu
                            and Ituri provinces in Democratic Republic of the Congo continues,
                            with four health zones and 11 health areas reporting confirmed cases
                            in the past 21 days (27 October to 16 November 2019). Since our
                            last report on 10 November 2019 (Weekly Bulletin 45), there have
                            been five new confirmed cases and two new deaths. The principle
                            hot spots of the outbreak in the past 21 days are Mabalako (46%;
                            n=13 cases), Beni (29%; n=8) and Mandima (21%; n=6 cases). Two
                            health zones, Beni and Mabalako, have reported new confirmed
                            cases in the past seven days.

                            As of 16 November 2019, a total of 3 292 EVD cases, including
                            3 174 confirmed and 118 probable cases have been reported. To
                            date, confirmed cases have been reported from 29 health zones:
                            Ariwara (1), Bunia (4), Komanda (56), Lolwa (6), Mambasa (78),
                            Mandima (339), Nyakunde (2), Rwampara (8) and Tchomia (2) in
                            Ituri Province; Alimbongo (5), Beni (687), Biena (18), Butembo
                            (285), Goma (1), Kalunguta (193), Katwa (651), Kayna (28), Kyondo
                            (25), Lubero (31), Mabalako (395), Manguredjipa (18), Masereka
                            (50), Musienene (84), Mutwanga (32), Nyiragongo (3), Oicha (62),
                            Pinga (1) and Vuhovi (103) in North Kivu Province and Mwenga (6)
                            in South Kivu Province.

                            As of 16 November 2019, a total of 2 195 deaths were recorded,
                            including 2 077 among confirmed cases, resulting in a case fatality
                            ratio among confirmed cases of 65% (2 077/3 174). The cumulative
                            number of health workers remains 163, which is 5% of the confirmed
                            and probable cases to date.

                            Contact tracing is ongoing in six health zones. A total of 4 857
                            contacts are under follow-up as of 16 November 2019, of which
                            4 375 (90%) have been seen in the past 24 hours. Alerts in the
                            affected provinces continue to be raised and investigated. Of 3 663
                            alerts processed (of which 3 592 were new) in reporting health zones
                            on 16 November 2019, 3 578 were investigated and 422 (12%) were
                            validated as suspected cases.

                            PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                            Surveillance activities continue, including case investigations,
                            active case finding in health facilities and communities, and
                            identification and listing of contacts around the latest confirmed
                            cases. Cross-border collaboration continues, particularly with
                            Uganda and Rwanda.
                            As of 16 November 2019, a cumulative total of 253 234 people
                            have been vaccinated since the start of the outbreak in August
                            2018.

                            Vaccination with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (Ad26.ZEBOV/
                            MVA-BN-Filo) continued in the Krisimbi Health Zone, with
                            147 people vaccinated on 16 November 2019, bringing the
                            cumulative total of people vaccinated with this vaccine to 240
                            since its introduction on 14 November 2019.

                            Point of Entry/Point of Control (PoE/PoC) screening continues,
                            with over 118 million screenings to date. A total of 106/110
                            (97%) PoE/PoC transmitted reports as of 16 November 2019.

                            There are continued community reintegration and psychosocial activities
                            for patients discharged from ETCs, along with psychoeducation sessions to
                            strengthen community engagement and collaboration in the response.
                            Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities continue, and in the Biakato area
                            35 households and 20 health facilities were briefed on IPC and WASH activities on
                            16 November 2019.

                            Community awareness and mobilization messages are being updated, revised and
                            harmonized and have been pre-tested by the commission and will subsequently
                            be shared in coordination and sub-coordination activities.
                            A press conference was held in Goma for local, national and international
                            journalists on the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

                            SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                            The drop in newly confirmed cases is encouraging, although transmission is still occurring
                            in Mandima, Mabalako and Beni. However, a high level of vigilance is still required,
                            with particular atttention to contact tracing and case recognition. While movement of
                            symptomatic cases continues, it is critical that all areas of the response remain effective,
                            engaged and fully resourced.



                            The WHO Health Emergencies Programme is currently monitoring 64 events in the region. This week’s main articles cover key new and ongoing events, including: Yellow fever in Nigeria Cholera in Burundi Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 in Côte d’Ivoire Ebola virus disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
                            "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


                              Lubero / Ebola: Hygienists escape lynching in Masereka Health Zone

                              November 19th

                              After one year and three months of Ebola virus disease in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, community resistance continues to be observed in the health zone of Masereka, in the Lubero territory, in the North Kivu.

                              Hygienists in the Rwese health area escaped a popular lynching while collecting data, ie a Swab, on a death in Vutovo, a village to the west of the village. Luotu commune.

                              "We were driven to the mourning site by the family of the deceased, when we showed them the dead bag, they were agitated and wanted to unload on us," said Monday, November 18, an area hygienists of Rwese health at Hurricane FM.

                              For Masereka District Chief Medical Officer Dr. Samuel, this situation could jeopardize work in his health zone which, for the time being, had totaled more than forty-two days without recording any positive case of the disease.

                              It should be remembered that the Masereka Health Zone was the second zone of contamination of the Ebola virus disease after that of Mangina in October 2018.

                              Maombi Visika Changle

                              "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://notifier.in/item/0qm7qm8ujt3...3/1341096.html
                                External Situation Report 68: 20 November 2019
                                Over the last three months, there has been a steady decrease in the incidence of confirmed Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) cases in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). In the week of 11 to 17 November 2019, nine new confirmed EVD cases were reported from three health zones in two affected provinces, compared to 126 cases reported at the peak of the epidemic in the last week of April 2019. No cases were reported from both Mandima and Mambasa health zones. After over 30 days with no new cases, Oicha Health Zone reported a new confirmed community death with links to Kalunguta, Oicha and Mandima health zones. Following initial resistance from family members and the community, a multidisciplinary team has now commenced investigations around this case. So far, the source of exposure is yet to be identified. All other cases reported in Beni and Mabalako health zones in the past week have been linked to known chains of transmission.



                                Although the number of weekly reported cases is decreasing, it is expected that the outbreak response will encounter more complex circumstances as some transmission continues within rural and hard to reach communities. Multidisciplinary response teams are building on sustained progress by enhancing efforts to thoroughly engage with the community in order to investigate all new cases, to improve contact tracing and access to vaccination and consequently break the remaining transmission chains.



                                In the 21 days from 28 October to 17 November 2019, 12 health areas and five health zones have reported cases. During this period, a total of 31 confirmed cases were reported, with Mabalako (45%; n=14 cases), Beni (29%; n=9) and Mandima (19%; n=6) cases as the principal hot spots.



                                As of 17 November 2019, a total of 3296 EVD cases were reported, including 3178 confirmed and 118 probable cases, of which 2196 cases died (overall case fatality ratio 67%). Of the total confirmed and probable cases, 56% (1854) were female, 30% (996) were children aged less than 18 years, and 5% (162) were healthcare workers.



                                Please click here to download the complete situation report (PDF).

                                You can access our archives of Ebola virus disease situation reports. You can also sign up here to receive regular updates on outbreaks and other emergencies in the WHO African Region.

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