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

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  • #16
    Translation Google

    Ebola in Beni: The assessment goes from 17 to 24 deaths out of the 32 documented cases

    Posted on: 03/08/2018 at 12h28min44s
    By Radio Moto Butembo-Beni

    A few hours after confirmation by the Minister of Health of the existence of the Ebola virus epidemic in rural commune of MANGINA in the territory of Beni, community leaders in this municipality were made aware of measures to prevent this disease. The session was held on Wednesday, August 1st, 2018.

    Dr. Germain KAMALIRO, MABALAKO Area Chief Medical Officer and KASEREKA KANDONDO, MANGINA's delegated officer, were involved in this meeting facilitated by a strong delegation of officials and health specialists from Goma.

    The participants were asked to respect the rules of hygiene, to abstain from the consumption of smoked meats of which one does not know its origin and not to greet oneself by the hands. During the same meeting, the president of the NGO ASADHO called the inhabitants to calm. For him, the identification of the disease is a reassuring aspect of its eradication.

    According to medical sources, the balance sheet has been revised upwards. It passes from 17 to 24 dead of the 32 cases already documented since the month of May 2018.


    Posted on: 03/08/2018 at 12h28min44s
    By Radio Moto Butembo-Beni

    "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


    • #17
      Translation Google
      DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
      EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
      Saturday 4 August 2018


      The Epidemiological Situation of the Ebola Virus Disease, August 3, 2018 :


      Note:
      • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation. The investigations will determine whether these deaths are related to the epidemic or not.
      News of the response

      • Since the declaration of the epidemic on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, several rapid response teams from the Ministry of Health have been sent to the city of Beni and the health zone of Mangina, epicenter of the current epidemic of Ebola.
      • The case that alerted the provincial health authorities is that of a 65-year-old woman living in Mangina who had been hospitalized at the Mangina Reference Health Center (CSR) a few days before being discharged in mid-July. She died at home a few days later. After her unsecured burial, the family members who cared for her began to show the same symptoms and 7 of them died.
      • In reviewing patient records, local health authorities identified earlier sporadic community deaths. Ongoing investigations will determine whether these former community deaths have an epidemiological link between them.
      • The initial investigations by the surveillance teams reveal that community deaths (probable cases) as well as suspected and confirmed cases have appeared in seven health zones, including five in the North Kivu Province and two in the neighboring Ituri Province.
      • The installation of a mobile laboratory in Beni will facilitate the testing of samples taken from suspected cases in the affected areas. Other mobile laboratories of the Ministry of Health are already operational in several cities in the provinces of North Kivu, Tshopo and Ituri, and they can also be used to test samples taken if necessary.
      • The first Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs) will be located in Mangina, Beni and Goma. Other CTEs could be installed depending on the evolution of the epidemic.
      • So far, 879 contacts have been registered by the health authorities.
      • Vaccination will be an integral part of the response. The Expanded Program on Immunization still has 3,220 doses of vaccine in stock in Kinshasa. The cold chain will be deployed in Beni this weekend. Once the optimal temperature of -70 degrees Celsius is reached, the vaccines will be sent to Beni.
      • The Ministry of Health works closely with the Ministry of Defense and MONUSCO to ensure the protection of health workers and the population.

      ...
      "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


      • #18
        Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

        Disease outbreak news
        4 August 2018


        On 28 July 2018, the North Kivu Provincial Health Division notified the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo of a cluster of suspected acute haemorrhagic fever cases. On 1 August 2018, the Institut National de Recherche Biom?dicale (INRB) in Kinshasa reported that four of six samples collected from hospitalised patients tested positive by GeneXpert automated PCR. These presumptive positive tests prompted an immediate escalation of response activities by the Ministry of Health, WHO and partners, and the declaration of the outbreak by the Minister of Health.

        The prompt alert by the Ministry of Health to WHO, under the International Health Regulations, followed the detection and rapid investigation of a cluster of suspected viral haemorrhagic fever in a family in North Kivu Province during mid to late July 2018. Local health officials have since identified sporadic, antecedent deaths in the community since May 2018 (tentatively classified as probable cases), which are subject to ongoing investigations to determine if they are related to the current outbreak.

        The Ministry of Health, WHO, and partners are working to establish the full extent of this outbreak. As of 3 August 2018, a total of 43 Ebola virus disease cases (13 confirmed and 30 probable), including 33 deaths, have been reported. An additional 33 suspected cases are currently pending laboratory testing to confirm or exclude Ebola virus disease. Three healthcare workers have been affected, of whom two have died.

        Geographically, confirmed and probable cases are currently localised to five health zones in North Kivu Province (38 cases, including 13 confirmed and 25 probable), and one health zones in Ituri Province (5 probable cases) (Figure). Suspected cases are currently under investigation in one additional health zone of Ituri Province. The affected areas host over one million displaced people and shares borders with Rwanda and Uganda, with frequent cross border movement due to trade activities. The prolonged humanitarian crisis and deterioration of the security situation is expected to hinder response to this outbreak.
        Further laboratory testing by INRB has detected Ebolavirus using conventional PCR in three of the initial batch of six samples from Mabalako Health Zone.
        These results are highly suggestive that Ebola Zaire species is the cause of this outbreak; however, genetic sequencing is necessary to definitively confirm the virus species.


        Characterization of viral sequences will help to inform the potential use of vaccines and therapeutics, and any link to the recent outbreak in ?quateur Province – located in the far west of the country, some 2 500 km from the current outbreak. Currently there is no evidence to suggest that these events are related.
        Figure 1: Ebola virus disease by health zone, North Kivu and Ituri Provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 3 August 2018



        Public health response

        The Ministry of Health has initiated response mechanisms in North Kivu and Ituri provinces with support from WHO and partners. Priorities include the establishment and strengthening of surveillance, contract tracing, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control (IPC), clinical management, community engagement, safe and dignified burials, response coordination, cross-border surveillance and preparedness activities in neighbouring provinces and countries. In addition, the potential for use of Ebola vaccines, as well as therapeutics for treatment of Ebola virus disease, are being reviewed.
        • The Ministry of Health and WHO have deployed Rapid Response Teams to the affected health zones to initiate response activities.
        • WHO has activated country, regional and global coordination mechanisms to assess risks and respond accordingly to the event. An incident management team has been established in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and support teams have been reactivated at the WHO Regional Office for Africa and at headquarters. Coordination meetings with Ministry of Health and partners were held on 1 August 2018 for deployment of human resources and material. Immediate logistical capabilities and needs are being established, and a full response plan is being developed.
        • WHO has provided technical and operations support to the Ministry of Health and partners in the activation of a multi-partner multi-agency Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate the response.
        • With support of international partners, Ebola treatment centres are being established in Mangina, Beni and Goma.
        • A mobile laboratory has been established in Beni to facilitate timely diagnoses of suspected cases. The establishment of additional laboratory capacities elsewhere is being explored.
        • Contact tracing activities have been initiated. Thus far, 879 contacts have been registered for follow-up.
        • The Regional Emergency Director for Africa has informed neighbouring countries (Rwanda and Uganda) of the outbreak and emphasized the importance of surveillance and preparedness actions, especially along the border.
        • Activities to sensitize communities to the outbreak, and hygiene and sanitation measures, through media and churches have begun in affected communities, and in neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda.
        • On 1 August, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) Operational Support Team has issued an alert to its network partners, providing an overview of the current situation and ongoing response activities. On 2 August, the GOARN Steering Committee and WHO Regional Office for Africa conducted a joint coordination call for operational partners in Africa. GOARN partners continue to contribute to response activities.
        WHO risk assessment

        This new outbreak of Ebola virus disease is affecting north eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which border Uganda. Potential risk factors for transmission of EVD at national and regional levels include the transportation links between the affected areas, the rest of the country, and neighbouring countries; the internal displacement of populations; and displacement of Congolese refugees to neighbouring countries. The country is concurrently experiencing several epidemics and a long-term humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the security situation in North Kivu may hinder the implementation of response activities. Based on this context, the public health risk is considered high at the national and regional levels and low globally.

        WHO advice

        As investigations continue to establish the full extent of this outbreak, it is important for neighbouring provinces and countries to enhance surveillance and preparedness activities. WHO will continue to work with neighbouring countries to ensure health authorities are alerted and prepared to respond.
        WHO advises against any restriction of travel and trade to the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on the currently available information. WHO continues to monitor travel and trade measures in relation to this event.
        For further information on Ebola virus disease, including risk reduction measures to prevent transmission of the virus, see:
        http://www.who.int/csr/don/4-august-2018-ebola-drc/en/
        "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


        • #19
          Translation Google

          Ituri: 4 confirmed Ebola deaths in a border town of Beni

          06.08.2018, Makeke, Ituri
          HEALTH

          Makeke, Ituri-

          The village of Makeke in the territory of Mambasa in Ituri, on the border with Mangina in North Kivu, the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak reported in this part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has registered 6 documented cases, including 4 deaths. among them.

          This information was confirmed by the medical director of the Mandima Health Zone (located between the two provinces and on which depends the village of Makeke) which indicates that the fourth death occurred this Thursday 02 August.

          "There are some people in Makeke who are affected, in total 4 people and two in Bela, two neighboring villages. All of these 6 patients were transferred to Mangina Hospital and there were 4 deaths among them, "said Faustin Rehema, who was joined by buniaactualite.com.

          He also confirmed the arrival at the site of some international humanitarian NGOs, including MSF, which intends to set up chlorine handwashing points and the deployment of protection kits for the benefit of the medical staff.

          In Bunia, the provincial capital, no major steps taken so far by the authorities after an expanded security meeting for humanitarians.

          Only a communique calling the population to the respect of the measures of hygiene was read on several local media by the vice-governor of province, Pacific Keta Upar.
          ...

          LM (Corresponding to Bunia)
          MEDIA CONGO PRESS / mediacongo.net

          Le village de Makeke situé en territoire de Mambasa en Ituri, à la limite avec Mangina au Nord-Kivu, épicentre de l'épidémie du virus Ebola...


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

          DRC: No reported case of Ebola in Ituri, says Governor Abdallah Pene Mbaka

          Posted on Mon, 06/08/2018 - 13:22 | Edited Mon, 06/08/2018 - 13:22

          Contrary to the rumors circulating about possible cases of Ebola in Ituri, no case is declared there, assured the governor of this province Abdallah Pene Mbaka. During a press briefing held on Sunday, August 5, he still invited the people to wash their hands, avoid contact with people who are suspicious or who died of this disease.

          "The Ebola outbreak is not declared in Ituri. These are just rumors that announce it. People were contaminated in Mangina, died in Mangina and were buried in Mangina. At this stage, information that reaches us from different health structures, there is no case of Ebola virus at home in Ituri, not even a suspected case, "quieted the governor.
          ...

          Contrairement aux rumeurs qui circulent sur d’éventuels cas d’Ebola en Ituri, aucun cas n’y est déclaré, a assuré le gouverneur de cette province Abdallah Pene Mbaka. Lors d’un point de presse tenu dimanche 5 août, il a tout de même invité la population à se laver les mains, éviter des contacts avec les personnes suspectes ou mortes par cette maladie. « L’épidémie d’Ebola n’est pas déclarée en Ituri. Ce ne sont que des rumeurs qui l’annoncent. Les gens ont été contaminées à Mangina, ils sont morts à Mangina et ont été enterrés à Mangina.
          "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


          • #20
            Translation Google

            North Kivu: no functional hearse in Mangina, epicenter of Ebola in Beni

            Posted on August 6, 2018 by Journal of Nations

            The people of Mangina in the Beni territory of North Kivu deplore the conditions under which people who died of Ebola are buried.

            In this region, our source says that this agglomeration no longer has a hearse in good condition, while Mangina is considered epicenter of the disease.

            "In Mangina, we have only one hearse more than 10 years old. And for the moment, this machine is broken down, "alerted an inhabitant of this locality.

            "It is the population that transports and manipulates the corpses, while it is also a danger of spreading the disease," he worried.

            On this occasion, he appealed to the Central and Provincial Government of North Kivu to urgently provide the locality of Mangina with a new hearse in order to spare the population from a dangerous contamination.

            D. BALOKI (from 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


            • #21
              Translation Google
              DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
              EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION
              Monday 6 August 2018


              The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated August 5, 2018 :
              • A total of 43 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, of which 16 confirmed and 27 probable.
              • 31 suspected cases are under investigation .
              • 3 new confirmed cases in Mabalako
              • 4 new confirmed cases in Mabalako
              • Decrease in probable cases in Mandima: After investigation, of the 5 probable cases reported in the previous bulletin, 3 people are still alive and have been classified in the category of alerts to be investigated.



              Remarks:
              • To avoid that the total number of cases varies (up or down) daily, the suspect cases have been placed in a separate category. Thus, suspect cases with positive laboratory tests will be added to the confirmed category, while negative ones (non-cases) will be removed from the table.
              • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation. The investigations will determine whether these deaths are related to the epidemic or not.
              News of the response
              • The cold chain for vaccination arrived in Beni this Sunday, August 6, 2018. Twelve teams of vaccinators will be deployed in the various affected areas. Vaccination should be ready by the end of the week. The Ministry of Health and WHO will apply the same strategy for belt vaccination, which is a targeted vaccination targeting primary care providers, people who have been in contact with confirmed cases of Ebola, and contacts with them. contact.
              • Contact tracking activities started in Beni. In all health zones under surveillance, 966 contacts have already been registered.
              • Probable case investigations are ongoing to determine if they are related to the current outbreak.
              • The national coordination of the Ebola response, the provincial government and the partners organized information and sensitization sessions for the administrative authorities and leaders of the Beni territory, as well as community leaders and the population of 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


              • #22
                Translation Google

                Ebola case in Ituri: Abdallah Pene Mbaka contradicts his vice-governor

                8/7/2018,
                PROVINCES

                The medical director of the Mandima Health Zone in Mambasa territory in Ituri, told local press last Thursday that the Makeke village on the border with Mangina in North Kivu, epicenter of the Ebola outbreak, had registered 6 confirmed cases including 4 deaths.

                A situation that had prompted the vice-governor Pacific Keta Upar, assuming the interim of its owner, to convene an extended security meeting to humanitarians.

                Information that has just been contradicted by the governor of Ituri province, Jefferson Abdallah Pene Mbaka, upon his return after a long stay in Kinshasa.

                Abdallah Pene Mbaka: "Ebola has not arrived here yet"

                Meanwhile, the news of this new Ebola outbreak had already circulated on social networks and spread like wildfire reporting the presence of this epidemic in Mambasa territory and in Bunia city, creating panic in the head of the population. This may have prompted Governor Abdallah Pene Mbaka to convene the local press for an update.

                "This is false and archifal, the Ebola outbreak has not yet arrived at home, these are just rumors. It is the inhabitants of Makeke who were contaminated in Mangina in North Kivu, dead and buried there. All the information that has come to me from different health facilities in the province tells me that there are no cases reported at this stage, no Ebola virus at home, "said the governor of Ituri to the press.

                The provincial authority also specified that when an outbreak is declared in a province, only the governor has the monopoly to bring this information to public opinion.

                "I am the only person in the province to officially declare the existence of any epidemic. Whether it is the head of provincial division of health, even the provincial minister of health, even less the heads of health facilities do not have this competence, "he said, before calling on his constituents to observe the measures. of hygiene contained in the communiqu? signed since last week by the vice-governor of the Pacific province Keta Upar.

                Among these measures are the regular washing of the hands, the ban on the consumption of meat found dead animals but also do not touch the dead patients of the Ebola epidemic.

                LM (Corresponding to Bunia)
                MEDIA CONGO PRESS / mediacongo.net

                Le médecin directeur de la zone de santé de Mandima en territoire de Mambasa en Ituri, a indiqué à la presse locale jeudi passé que le village...

                "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


                • #23
                  WHO Warns There May Be No Vaccine Option for New Ebola Outbreak

                  GENEVA/GOMA (Reuters) - It may be impossible to use a vaccine to tackle Democratic Republic of Congo's new Ebola outbreak that has caused four confirmed cases, including two health workers, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official said on Thursday.
                  Officials have not confirmed the particular strain of Ebola causing the outbreak, which may have killed 20 people, but WHO's emergency response chief Peter Salama said it could be the Zaire, Sudan or Bundibugyo strain.
                  If it is the Zaire strain, the Merck vaccine used in the last Ebola outbreak may be an option, otherwise the situation will be much more complex "and we may not have any vaccine options," he told Reuters at WHO's headquarters in Geneva.
                  "The majority of the cases occurred in the second half of July . . . When the provincial medical teams have looked back . . . they have noted cases that could be consistent with Ebola that began even in May but it?s far too early to say," Salama said.

                  ...


                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Translation Google
                    DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                    EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN NORTH KIVU PROVINCE
                    Tuesday, August 7, 2018


                    The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated August 6, 2018 :
                    • A total of 43 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, of which 16 confirmed and 27 probable.
                    • 46 suspected cases are under investigation .
                    • 2 deaths of confirmed cases, 1 in Beni and 1 in Mabalako



                    Remarks:
                    • To avoid that the total number of cases varies (up or down) daily, the suspect cases have been placed in a separate category. Thus, suspect cases with positive laboratory tests will be added to the confirmed category, while negative ones (non-cases) will be removed from the table.
                    • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation. The investigations will determine whether these deaths are related to the epidemic or not.
                    News of the response
                    • Since the declaration of the new Ebola virus epidemic in North Kivu Province on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB) has carried out the complete sequencing of the genome of the virus responsible for determining it was linked to the virus that caused the previous epidemic, which occurred a few months earlier in the Equator Province. Although the two viruses that caused this year's epidemics belong to the Ebola Zaire species, the sequencing results confirmed that the strains of the viruses are completely different.. This information is important because, on the one hand, it means that the current epidemic in the territory of Beni is a distinct epidemic, unrelated to the previous one in Ecuador, and on the other hand, that the vaccine rVSV-ZEBOV can be used as a response strategy.
                    • The first teams of vaccinators will arrive in Beni this Wednesday, August 8, 2018. They will begin by vaccinating primary care providers before vaccinating contacts and contacts contacts.

                    ...
                    "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


                    • #25
                      Translation Google
                      DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                      EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH KIVU
                      Wednesday 8 August 2018


                      The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated August 7, 2018 :
                      • A total of 44 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, of which 17 confirmed and 27 probable.
                      • 47 suspected cases are under investigation .
                      • 1 new case confirmed to Beni.



                      Remarks:
                      • To avoid that the total number of cases varies (up or down) daily, the suspect cases have been placed in a separate category. Thus, suspect cases with positive laboratory tests will be added to the confirmed category, while negative ones (non-cases) will be removed from the table.
                      • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation. The investigations will determine whether these deaths are related to the epidemic or not.
                      News of the response
                      • Exactly one week after the declaration of the epidemic, vaccination could begin in North Kivu. On Wednesday, August 8, 2018, the Minister of Health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, visited the health area of ​​Mangina, the epicenter of the epidemic, located about 30 km from the city of Beni, in the province of North Kivu, to launch vaccination activities.
                      • The provincial Minister of Health and the provincial coordinator of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) were the first two volunteers to be vaccinated. For the provincial Minister of Health, Dr. Martial Kambumbu Kayenga, this symbolic gesture was very important to reassure the inhabitants of this locality who had come in large numbers to attend the launching ceremony.
                      • On the list of people to be vaccinated today were front-line health professionals from the Mangina Reference Health Center who had been in contact with confirmed cases and identified first contacts.
                      • Immunization activities were initiated by Congolese EPI vaccinators who had been trained by Guinean vaccinators during the previous outbreak in Equateur Province. However, several teams of Guinean experts will return to the Democratic Republic of Congo to provide support to local experts.
                      • This is the second vaccination in response to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo this year. The first belt vaccination campaign took place in Equateur province from May to June 2018. A total of 3,481 people were vaccinated and none of them developed the Ebola virus.

                      5 QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VACCINE AGAINST EBOLA

                      1. Does the vaccine contain the Ebola virus?
                      NO, the vaccine works by replacing a gene from a harmless virus known as VSV (Vesicular Stomatitis Virus) with a gene encoding an Ebola virus surface protein. The vaccine does not contain live Ebola virus and therefore it can not cause the disease.

                      2. What method will be used to administer the vaccine? Who will receive the vaccine?
                      Belt vaccination is the recommended management strategy. The at-risk individuals selected to receive the vaccine in the Democratic Republic of Congo are:
                      (i) Health professionals who are directly exposed to the confirmed case of Ebola in the affected health areas;
                      (ii) People who have been in contact with confirmed cases of Ebola;
                      (iii) Contacts of these contacts.
                      After receiving the vaccine, all these people will be followed up for a specified period of up to 3 months.

                      3. Who authorized the use of the Ebola vaccine in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
                      In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the use of the Ebola vaccine has been authorized by the Department of Pharmacy and Drug and the Ethics Committee of the School of Public Health from the University of Kinshasa. The vaccination protocol had been sent to the Ethics Committee for review by the Ministry of Health and WHO. The Ethics Committee estimated in a decision of 7 August 2018 that all conditions were met to use the Ebola vaccine as part of the response to the current outbreak.

                      4. Do you have to be vaccinated if you are identified as a confirmed case of Ebola?
                      NO, participation in compassionate use of the Ebola vaccine is completely free and voluntary. Each eligible person may decide to participate or not and may withdraw at any time. Their consent must be informed. Their rights will be respected. Regardless of whether the eligible person chooses to participate or not, it will have no impact on their access to health services.

                      5. What are the possible side effects?
                      Like any other vaccine introduced into the body, the Ebola vaccine can cause some minor side effects. These side effects include mild fever or cold symptoms, joint pain and sores in the arm. In the previous ring vaccination in Sierra Leone, no serious adverse events were reported. However, a follow-up of the vaccinated persons is necessary to ensure that they are well. As a follow-up, they will receive a home visit to check their health six times - days 3, 14, 21, 42, 63 and 84 after vaccination.
                      ...


                      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      JOINT PRESS RELEASE - AUGUST 8, 2018

                      Ebola vaccination begins in North Kivu

                      MANGINA / GENEVA, August 8, 2018 - The Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) today announced the start of vaccination among high-risk populations in North Kivu province.

                      The current vaccination began just one week after the announcement of a second Ebola outbreak in the country. To date, 44 cases have been registered, of which 17 cases are confirmed.

                      Work with the communities had already begun several days ago to prepare for the vaccination of affected populations in the Mangina health area, 30 kilometers from the city of Beni.

                      The provincial Minister of Health and the provincial coordinator of the Expanded Program of Immunization were the first two people to be vaccinated to reassure the population. Then, it was the front-line health professionals at the Mangina Reference Health Center who had been in contact with the confirmed cases who had been vaccinated.

                      "Vaccination is an important component in the fight against Ebola. This is why vaccines have been rapidly and prioritized to protect health workers and the public, "said Dr. Oly Ilunga, the health minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

                      A total of 3,220 doses of the rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine are currently available in the country. An agreement between the Gavi Alliance and Merck (which developed the vaccine) provides for additional doses of the vaccine, used as an experiment, to be available.

                      "Once again, the Democratic Republic of Congo has demonstrated strong leadership in the rapid response to this epidemic," said Dr. Tedros, the Director-General of the World Health Organization. "The Ebola virus disease is aggressive. We must respond with force. Introducing immunization so quickly is one of the main tools at the beginning of the response. "

                      WHO provided logistical support to establish the cold chain conditions and equipment needed to carry out the vaccination. In addition, WHO facilitates consultations on protocols to be put in place as well as discussions with the vaccine manufacturer and national authorities. Finally, WHO is contributing to the deployment of Guinea's vaccination expert teams to work alongside Congolese vaccinators who have already started immunization activities.

                      "We are proud of the solidarity shown at the regional level in the immunization efforts and we are confident that the African Region will once again demonstrate the strong capabilities it has in responding to this outbreak," he said. Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

                      ###

                      ...
                      "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


                      • #26
                        Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/9-august-2018-ebola-drc/en/
                        Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

                        Disease outbreak news
                        9 August 2018

                        On 1 August 2018, the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease in North Kivu Province, in the eastern part of the country. North Kivu is among the most populated provinces in the country, shares borders with Uganda and Rwanda, and experiences conflict and insecurity, with over one million internally displaced people and migration of refugees to neighbouring countries.
                        The Ministry of Health, WHO and partners are continuing to strengthen activities across all key response pillars. As of 7 August 2018, 44 Ebola virus disease cases (17 confirmed and 27 probable), including 36 deaths, have been reported in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. This includes sporadic, antecedent deaths in affected communities since May 2018, which were identified from clinical records and tentatively classified as probable cases pending further investigations. Two healthcare workers (one confirmed and one probable) have been affected, of which one has died. Confirmed or probable cases are localised to five health zones in North Kivu, and one neighbouring health zone in Ituri Province. The majority of cases (13 confirmed, 21 probable) have been reported from Mabalako Health Zone (Figure 1). An additional 47 suspected cases are currently pending laboratory testing to confirm or exclude Ebola virus disease.
                        On 6 August 2018, the Institut National de Recherche Biom?dicale (INRB) confirmed by genetic sequencing that this latest outbreak is caused by the Zaire ebolavirus species, and is not related to the recent outbreak in ?quateur Province.
                        For more information, see:
                        Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by health zone in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 7 August 2018




                        Public health response

                        The Ministry of Health has initiated response mechanisms in North Kivu and Ituri provinces with support from WHO and partners. Priorities include the establishment and strengthening of surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control (IPC), clinical management, vaccination, risk communication and community engagement, safe and dignified burials, response coordination, cross-border surveillance, and preparedness activities in neighbouring provinces and countries.
                        • On 2 August 2018, the Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the WHO Representative and representatives of several partner agencies visited Mabalako Health Zone (the epicentre of the outbreak) and Beni to assess and support the local response.
                        • The Ministry of Health and WHO have deployed Rapid Response Teams to the affected health zones to initiate response activities. As of 7 August, WHO has deployed 30 technical and logistics specialists to support response activities. Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) partner institutions continue to support the WHO response to Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as ongoing readiness and preparedness activities in non-affected provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in nine bordering countries.
                        • On 8 August, the vaccination of frontline health care workers started, followed by the vaccination of community contacts and their contacts. There are currently 3220 doses of rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine available in Kinshasa. A clinical team with therapeutics arrived on 7 August.
                        • Ebola treatment centres have been established in Mangina and Beni, with the support of international partners. The deployment of experienced clinicians to support partners in caring for patients is in process.
                        • On 3 August 2018, two GeneXpert machines were set up in Beni to facilitate the timely diagnosis of suspected cases. The establishment of additional laboratory capacity elsewhere is being explored, including additional GeneXpert machines in Mangina, Goma and other areas as needed. The INRB is working to deploy additional diagnostic capacities in Mangina, including conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), serology, haematology and biochemistry.
                        • The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is supporting the Democratic Republic of the Congo Red Cross to establish systems to ensure safe and dignified burials throughout the affected zones. Currently, two teams are operating from Beni and are covering the affected areas.
                        • The WHO Regional Emergency Director for Africa has informed neighbouring countries (Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan) of the outbreak and emphasized the need for heightened surveillance and preparedness actions in the respective countries, particularly along the border with North Kivu.
                        • Thirty-two key points of entry have been identified in which to strengthen capacity to rapidly detect and respond to potential new Ebola virus disease cases and to engage communities along border areas to improve knowledge of Ebola virus disease and its prevention.
                        • Activities to sensitize communities to the outbreak began in affected communities through the Social Mobilization Commission, and in neighbouring Uganda and Rwanda. WHO and partners have held a series of briefings with community and neighbourhood leaders, teachers, religious leaders, journalists, and community groups to raise awareness about Ebola, including information on the current outbreak and preventive measures.
                        • As of 8 August, three charter cargo planes from Mbandaka arrived in Beni with a total of 23 tonnes of supplies. A further charter is scheduled to depart Dubai with 20 000 sets of viral haemorrhagic fever Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and 50 000 sets of standard PPE.

                        WHO risk assessment

                        This latest outbreak of Ebola virus disease is affecting north eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which are in close proximity to Uganda. Potential risk factors for transmission of Ebola virus disease at national and regional levels include the transportation links between the affected areas, the rest of the country, and neighbouring countries; the internal displacement of populations; and displacement of Congolese refugees to neighbouring countries. The country is concurrently experiencing several epidemics and a long-term humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the security situation in North Kivu may hinder the implementation of response activities. Based on this context, the public health risk is considered high at the national and regional levels and low globally.
                        WHO advice

                        As investigations continue to establish the full extent of this outbreak, it is important for neighbouring provinces and countries to enhance surveillance and preparedness activities. WHO will continue to work with neighbouring countries and partners to ensure health authorities are alerted and are prepared to respond.
                        WHO advises against any restriction of travel and trade to the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on the currently available information. WHO continues to monitor travel and trade measures in relation to this event.
                        For more information, see:

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Dr. Robert R. RedfieldVerifiedaccount @ CDCDirector
                          @ CDCDirector

                          Tests shows the # Ebola virus species of DRC current outbreak is ebolavirus Zaire genetically different purpose than The One That Caused an outbreak Earlier this year in Reviews another DRC province. Genetic testing of viruses may be important.

                          10:50 AM - 10 Aug 2018
                          "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


                          • #28
                            Congo's latest outbreak more challenging than ever, WHO says

                            BENI, Congo (AP) ? The World Health Organization's director-general says instability, high population density and large displacement in Congo's east mean the response to the nation's tenth Ebola virus outbreak must be stronger than ever before.
                            Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke in Beni city, where an Ebola response center has been established. He joined Congo's health minister, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, in overseeing vaccinations that began this week.
                            On Saturday they will visit Mangina village, where the outbreak was declared Aug. 1.
                            The Ministry of Health says 44 cases have been reported, with 17 of them confirmed as Ebola, including 10 deaths.

                            WHO says more than 3,000 doses of the Ebola vaccine are available in Congo.
                            The country's east is home to dozens of rebel groups fighting for control over the mineral-rich region.




                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Translation Google
                              DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                              EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH KIVU
                              Friday, August 10, 2018


                              The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated August 9, 2018 :
                              • A total of 48 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, of which 21 were confirmed and 27 were probable.
                              • 51 suspected cases are under investigation .
                              • 4 new confirmed cases in Mabalako.
                              • 2 deaths of confirmed cases, including 1 in Beni and 1 in Mabalako.



                              Remarks:
                              • To avoid that the total number of cases varies (up or down) daily, the suspect cases have been placed in a separate category. Thus, suspect cases with positive laboratory tests will be added to the confirmed category, while negative ones (non-cases) will be removed from the table.
                              • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation. The investigations will determine whether these deaths are related to the epidemic or not.
                              News of the response
                              • The Minister of Health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, and the Director General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom, went to Beni this Friday, August 10, 2018. They were accompanied by Dr. Matshidiso R. Moeti, Regional Director of the WHO for Africa, and Peter Salama, Director of WHO's Emergency Management Program. In Beni, distinguished guests were able to attend the launch of the vaccination and interact with the health workers participating in the response. They also visited the new headquarters of the provincial coordination of Beni which is now in the new base of MONUSCO.
                              • The Medical Unit of Rapid Intervention (UMIR) of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) arrived in Beni since Thursday, August 9, 2018. Their role is to take charge of awareness and prevention in military camps as well as to ensure the security of the surveillance teams when they make their investigations and follow the contacts in unsecured areas.

                              ...
                              "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


                              • #30
                                Translation Google
                                DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                                EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN NORTH KIVU PROVINCE
                                Sunday 12 August 2018


                                The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated August 12, 2018 :
                                • A total of 52 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 25 confirmed and 27 probable.
                                • 48 suspected cases are under investigation .
                                • 3 new confirmed cases, including 1 in Beni and 2 in Mangina (including a health staff from the Mangina Reference Health Center)
                                • 1 death of a confirmed case in Mabalako
                                • Alerts had been reported in the Idjwi Health Zone in South Kivu Province. The samples taken were analyzed at the Goma mobile laboratory and the tests were negative.



                                Remarks:
                                • To avoid that the total number of cases varies (up or down) daily, the suspect cases have been placed in a separate category. Thus, suspect cases with positive laboratory tests will be added to the confirmed category, while negative ones (non-cases) will be removed from the table.
                                • The category of probable cases includes all reported deaths for which it was not possible to obtain biological samples for laboratory confirmation. The investigations will determine whether these deaths are related to the epidemic or not.
                                ...
                                "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

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