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

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    EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

    Saturday, November 3, 2018

    The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated November 2, 2018 :

    A total of 293 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, of which 258 confirmed and 35 probable.
    Of the 258 confirmed, 147 died and 81 are cured . The others are hospitalized in the different Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs) installed.
    50 suspected cases under investigation.
    6 new confirmed cases, including 3 in Beni and 3 in Butembo.
    1 new case death confirmed in Butembo.

    ...


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

    EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

    Sunday, November 4, 2018

    The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated November 3, 2018 :

    A total of 298 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 263 confirmed and 35 probable.
    Of the 263 confirmed, 151 died and 81 are cured . The others are hospitalized in the different Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs) installed.
    46 suspected cases under investigation.
    5 new confirmed cases, including 2 in Beni, 2 in Mabalako and 1 in Butembo.
    The two new confirmed cases of Mabalako are a young girl residing in Beni and her 2-week-old newborn. They were transferred to the Mabalako CTE at the request of the family.
    4 new deaths of confirmed cases, including 3 in Beni and 1 in 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


    • DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
      EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

      Monday, November 5, 2018


      The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated November 4, 2018 :
      • A total of 300 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 265 confirmed and 35 probable.
      • Of the 265 confirmed, 151 died and 88 are cured . The others are hospitalized in the different Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs) installed.
      • 41 suspected cases under investigation.
      • 2 new confirmed cases, including 1 in Beni and 1 in Kalunguta.
      • No new confirmed case deaths reported this day.
      • 7 new cures in 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


      • EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

        Tuesday, November 6, 2018

        The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated November 5, 2018 :

        A total of 305 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, including 270 confirmed and 35 probable.
        Of the 270 confirmed, 154 died and 88 are cured . The others are hospitalized in the different Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs) installed.
        60 suspected cases under investigation.
        5 new confirmed cases, including 1 in Beni, 1 in Butembo and 3 in Kalunguta.
        3 new deaths of confirmed cases, including 1 in Beni, 1 in Butembo and 1 in Mabalako.

        ...
        News of the response

        Epidemiological surveillance

        Several cases of Ebola have been identified in a Mayi-Mayi village in the Kalunguta health zone, located in a red zone, following the escape of a confirmed case of Beni to this village in order to escape the teams of the response. After negotiations with the village leaders, an investigative mission was organized to examine the people who are currently ill and to investigate the deaths that occurred in the village the previous weeks. This investigation will identify deaths caused by Ebola and classify them, if any, as probable cases. So far, villagers have been cooperative and vaccination has begun.

        Among the new confirmed cases in Kalunguta, there is a 6-day newborn baby from a confirmed case who died on November 4, 2018 at Butembo CTE. The child's mother began to show symptoms of the disease 5 days before giving birth to her son.
        ...



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

        EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

        Wednesday, November 7, 2018

        The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated November 6, 2018 :
        A total of 308 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 273 confirmed and 35 probable.
        Of the 273 confirmed, 156 died and 91 are cured . The others are hospitalized in the different Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs) installed.
        39 suspected cases under investigation.
        3 new confirmed cases, 2 in Beni and 1 in Vuhovi.
        2 new deaths of confirmed cases, including 1 in Butembo and 1 in Vuhovi.

        3 new people healed in Beni.
        ...

        News of the response

        High level visit to Beni

        The response teams in Beni were visited by a large delegation composed of the Minister of Health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, the Governor of North Kivu Province, Julien Paluku, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and the UN Special Representative in the DRC, Leila Zerrougui.

        The delegation began the day at the emergency operations center of the response, where National Response Coordinator Dr Ndjoloko Tambwe Bathe presented the epidemiological situation, challenges and progress of the response. The Coordinator agreed, on behalf of all stakeholders in the response, with the Merit Certificate awarded to congratulate them on the work done in this Ebola outbreak, which is the most complex epidemic in the history of Ebola. country.

        The delegation then went to the town hall where it met the Beni security committee to take stock of the security situation and the civil society of Beni who shared the point of view of the inhabitants of the city in relation to the Ebola outbreak and the security situation.

        The guests closed their visit with a meeting with Beni's sub-coordination teams and a visit to the construction site of the transit center under construction, which will house the numerous suspected cases detected every day before their transfer to the CTE in the event of a positive laboratory test. . The surveillance teams receive, on average, 100 alerts per day, of which about 30 become suspect cases to investigate, collect and isolate. The opening of the transit center will unload the 60-bed CTE which is currently filled.

        At the end of the visit, the Minister of Health warmly congratulated the teams that have so far managed to prevent this epidemic from turning into a real human tragedy, resulting in thousands of deaths across the country. Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga said he was reassured by the positive progress made since the refocusing of the response plan and the new directions taken last October. Although the number of new confirmed cases reported daily has slightly decreased in recent days, the situation remains extremely critical and it is not time to give up. On the contrary, it is during these apparent lull times that teams must redouble their efforts to identify and isolate cases still in the community and avoid a new outbreak.
        Insecurity

        A team of 3 civil protection agents and 1 epidemiologist was taken hostage by a group of Mai-Mai rebels at the village of Matembo, located on the road between Beni and Butembo, while preparing a dignified and secure burial. . A community death had occurred in the village and the family had called the emergency services. Arrival at the scene, the team proceeded to the decontamination of the house, the removal of the body of the deceased and the preparation of the body for burial. It was at this point that the rebels entered the village and took the 4 agents of the riposte hostage. The alert was relayed to the security commission coordination, which then sent police to release the hostages. Fortunately, the hostages were found safe and sound.
        ...
        "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


        • New measures and strong partnership having positive impact on Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

          8 November 2018 News Release


          New measures to overcome challenges in the response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are having a positive impact, although the outbreak remains dangerous and unpredictable, the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping and the World Health Organization (WHO) said after a joint mission to assess the outbreak.

          WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Jean-Pierre Lacroix yesterday travelled with the Minister of Health, Dr Oly Ilunga Kalenga, to the city of Beni in eastern DRC, the epicentre of the outbreak, where they met health workers, civil society representatives, peacekeeping troops and local authorities.

          The United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, has recently taken an active approach to armed groups operating in North Kivu, which has contributed to a period of calm in and around the city of Beni, although some attacks have continued in surrounding villages.

          Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health, WHO and partners are also making greater use of community surveillance, in which community members are trained to conduct contact tracing activities in areas that outsiders have difficulty accessing. This has contributed to a decline in new cases over the past two weeks, although the situation remains of grave concern.

          Mr Lacroix and Dr Tedros also met DRC Prime Minister Bruno Tshibala to share their observations and recommendations and to discuss how best to support the government’s response to the outbreak.

          “We are facing numerous complex challenges, but it’s encouraging and inspiring to see that our efforts to deliver as one UN have been extremely successful in many hotspots and will help to end the outbreak and save lives,” said Mr Lacroix.

          Since the outbreak began in August, there have been 308 cases and 191 deaths, about half of which have been in Beni, a city of 800,000 people. The current outbreak is the country’s 10th and is on track to surpass the previous largest outbreak, which was in Yambuku in 1976 when there were 318 cases and 280 people died.

          MONUSCO has provided support to the Ebola response since the beginning of the outbreak through the provision of logistical support, office facilities, transportation, communication and security.

          Ebola response teams have sometimes faced difficulties on the ground, with misinformation and mistrust due to decades of conflict contributing to a reluctance with some local populations to allow Ebola response teams to vaccinate, conduct contact tracing and perform safe and dignified burials. Community engagement activities have helped address concerns and most local communities have proven supportive and are keenly aware of the dangers of Ebola and the importance of ending the outbreak.

          “The fact that we have so far prevented Ebola from spreading into neighbouring countries is a testament to the hard work and determination of staff from all partners,” said Dr Tedros. “As complex and challenging as this outbreak is, I am confident that working together with the Ministry of Health, MONUSCO and all our partners, we can and will end it.”

          WHO has almost 280 staff in North Kivu, supporting hundreds more from the Ministry of Health and partners.

          Six treatment centres have been built, where 91 patients are currently being treated. The centres are operated by the Ministry of Health and partners including ALIMA, M?decins Sans Fronti?res and the International Medical Corps. Each treatment centre is supported by a mobile laboratory to rapidly diagnose cases and guide treatment.

          To date, 27,000 people have been vaccinated against Ebola, and almost every new patient receives one of 4 investigational treatments, something which was never previously possible during an Ebola outbreak. While mourning those who have died, they noted that 91 people have recovered and returned to their communities thanks to the hard work and joint efforts of national and international responders.

          Mr Lacroix and Dr Tedros paid tribute to the dedication of staff from WHO, MONUSCO, the Ministry of Health and all partners who are fighting a dangerous outbreak in extremely difficult conditions.

          http://www.who.int/news-room/detail/...c-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


          • DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
            EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

            Thursday 8 November 2018


            The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated November 7, 2018 :
            • A total of 312 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 277 confirmed and 35 probable.
            • Of the 277 confirmed, 156 have died and 91 are cured . The others are hospitalized in the different Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs) installed.
            • 40 suspected cases under investigation.
            • 4 new confirmed cases, including 1 in Beni, 2 in Kalunguta and 1 in Mutwanga.
              • Mutwanga is a new health zone affected. It is a health zone close to that of Beni. The new case is a known contact followed by a confirmed case of Beni who refused the vaccination and fled to Mutwanga before the end of his follow-up. The central office of the Mutwanga Health Zone, which had been informed of the presence of a high-risk contact in their territory, found him ill. He finally agreed to be transferred to the CTE of Beni.
            • No confirmed case deaths.
            ...
            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
            -Nelson Mandela

            Comment


            • Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

              Disease outbreak news: Update
              8 November 2018


              As the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak enters the fourth month since declaration, and case numbers surpass 300, substantial progress has been achieved in all aspects of the response. Nevertheless, there remains a challenging road ahead to control intense transmission in the city of Beni and emerging hotspots in villages around Beni and Butembo. Security incidents and pockets of community resistance continue to impact civilians and frontline workers, requiring the response to continually adapt to the situation. The UN is committed to staying and supporting the Ministry of Health (MoH), and confident that the outbreak can be contained. This week, the WHO Director-General, UN Under-Secretary-General for peacekeeping, and WHO Deputy Director-General (DDG) Emergency Preparedness and Response travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to review how further support can be offered to strengthen the response.
              Over the past week (31 October ? 6 November), 29 new confirmed EVD cases were reported: 15 from Beni, seven from Butembo, four from Kalunguta, two from Mabalako, and one from Vuhovi. The two cases reported in Mabalako were a mother and her new-born child, residing and infected in Beni, but sought treatment at the Mabalako Ebola treatment centre (ETC). Three health workers from health posts in Beni and Kalunguta were among the newly infected; 28 health workers have been infected to date. Ten additional survivors were discharged from the Beni ETC and reintegrated into their communities; 88 patients have recovered to date.
              As of 6 November, 308 EVD cases (273 confirmed and 35 probable), including 189 deaths (154 confirmed and 35 probable)1, have been reported in eight health zones in North Kivu Province and three health zones in Ituri Province (Figure 1). While fewer cases were reported from Beni this week, new cases continue to be detected daily here and elsewhere, and delays in case detection persist; therefore, trends in weekly incidence must be interpreted cautiously (Figure 2).
              The risk of the outbreak spreading to other provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as to neighbouring countries, remains very high. Over the course of the past week, alerts have been reported from the South Sudan, Uganda and Yemen; EVD has been ruled out for all alerts to date. Uganda (geographically closest to outbreak affected areas), continues to intensify preparedness activities, and this week began to vaccinate health and frontline workers at priority health facilities.
              Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by health zone in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo, data as of 6 November 2018 (n=308)




              Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset, data as of 6 November 2018 (n=303)*




              *Onset date unknown for five cases. Data in recent weeks are subject to delays in case confirmation and reporting, as well as ongoing data cleaning ? trends during this period should be interpreted cautiously.
              Public health response

              The MoH continues to strengthen response measures, with support from WHO and partners. Priorities include coordinating the response, surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control (IPC), clinical management of patients, vaccination, risk communication and community engagement, psychosocial support, safe and dignified burials (SDB), cross-border surveillance and preparedness activities in neighbouring provinces and countries.
              • Surveillance: Demonstrated impacts are being observed following renewed efforts and improved systems by field teams to overcome challenges in case and contact detection, investigation, and data analytics. Though a large proportion of new cases reported in Beni during the past week and earlier were not listed as contact at the time of reporting, investigators have retrospectively elucidated the transmission chains for the majority of cases. Meanwhile, contact tracing continues with almost 18 000 contacts registered since the start of the outbreak, of which 5430 remain under surveillance as of 6 November.2 Follow-up rates over the past week ranged from 91-94% in total across all health areas.
              • Vaccination: As of 31 October, 174 vaccination rings have been defined, in addition to 38 rings of health and frontline worker. To date, 27 360 eligible and consented people have been vaccinated, including 9106 health and frontline workers and 7256 children.
              • Clinical management and IPC: Activities are ongoing in both clinical management and IPC and are supported by several partners in the field. Almost all newly confirmed patients admitted to ETCs receive therapeutics. There remain ongoing challenges with delayed recognition of cases and referral to ETCs, which are often occurring only after a patient has visited a number of health facilities. Some patients die before reaching ETCs or shortly after arrival due to late presentation in illness course. In rare instances, therapeutics may need to be withheld due to a very poor prognosis. Several IPC activities such as decontamination of health care facilities and households, and IPC trainings are ongoing. Breaches in various aspects of IPC practices remain an important reason for continuing transmission. Several activities are ongoing in the field to address these concerns.
              • Risk communication, community engagement, and social mobilization: Priorities are regularly reviewed to address the evolving challenges and needs. In addition to continuing the focus on community ownership, the work will centre around prevention of the virus infection in formal and information health care facilities and in supporting community surveillance. Feedback to concerns raised by the community through door-to-door visits, focused group discussions and knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) surveys are being systematically collected and addressed. This week, advocacy meetings are held with local pharmacies in Butembo, with traditional healer in Butsili and follow-up discussions on Ebola sensitization are held with community leaders and women?s groups in Beni. Community dialogue sessions were also held in Katwa.
              • Safe and dignified burial (SDB): Capacity is provided both by Red Cross (RC) and Civil Protection (CP) teams. As of 7 November, a total of 458 SDB alerts were received, of which 389 (85%) were responded to successfully. The number of alerts of community deaths is fewer than expected, especially in Butembo and Beni; suggesting underreporting of community deaths. Harm Reduction approach to manage burials in areas non-accessible by SDB teams, as well as implementation of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) for deceased, are being reviewed. There is a continuous need to sensitise communities, opinion leaders and authorities (e.g. police and military) on SDB to mitigate resistance.
              • Point of Entry (PoE): As of 6 November, health screening has been established at 67 PoEs. Over 13.2 million travellers have been screened, over 17 500 means of transport have been decontaminated and 100 alerts have been notified (19 were validated and one was confirmed for EVD). Out of 13.8 million travellers who passed through these POEs, 91% washed hands and 83% were sensitized about EVD. A workshop to revise operation procedures for PoE activities is planned for 12-14 November.
              • Laboratory capacity: Diagnostic testing capability has continued to expand as cases spread to new geographic areas. Five field Ebola laboratories providing near-patient testing have been established in Beni, Mutembo, Goma, Mangina and Tchomia; these are in addition to the national laboratory in Kinshasa. Testing volumes have increased in the past week; 438 samples tested in the week ending 28 October which is 30% more than the previous week.
              • Preparedness and operational readiness: Ministry of Health deployed 56 preparedness officers (43 national government experts and 13 WHO consultants) this week to ten high risk provinces around North Kivu to scale up operational readiness capacities and rapid response teams for IPC, risk communications, surveillance, points of entry screening, and coordination. Operational readiness actions continue to be strengthened in the nine neighbouring countries, with enhanced efforts in Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi. The implementation of the contingency plans for EVD readiness are underway in collaboration with partners. Twelve experts were deployed in South Sudan to enhance the efforts of readiness in Nimule, Yei and Yambio.
              Partners

              To support the MoH, WHO is working intensively with a wide range of multisectoral and multidisciplinary regional and global partners and stakeholders for EVD response, research and urgent preparedness, including in neighbouring countries. Among the partners are a number of UN agencies and international organizations including: European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operation (ECHO); International Organization for Migration (IOM); UK Public Health Rapid Support Team; United Nations Children?s Fund (UNICEF); UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHCR); World Bank and regional development banks; World Food Programme (WFP) and UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS); UN mission and UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS); Inter-Agency Standing Commission; United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA); and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Africa Centres for Disease Control; US CDC; UK Department for International Development (DFID); United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Adeco Federaci?n (ADECO); Association des femmes pour la nutrition ? assisse communautaire (AFNAC); Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA); CARITAS DRC; CARE International; Centre de promotion socio-sanitaire (CEPROSSAN); Cooperazione Internationale (COOPE); Catholic Organization for Relief and Development Aid (CORDAID/PAP-DRC); International Medical Corps; International Rescue Committee (IRC); Intersos ? Organizzatione Umanitaria par l?Emergenza (INTERSOS); MEDAIR; M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF); Oxfam International; Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); Samaritan?s Purse; Save the Children (SCI); Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), Emerging and Dangerous Pathogens Laboratory Network (EDPLN), Emerging Disease Clinical Assessment and Response Network (EDCARN), technical networks and operational partners, and the Emergency Medical Team Initiative (EMT). GOARN partners continue to support the response through deployment for response and readiness activities in non-affected provinces and in neighbouring countries and to different levels of WHO.
              WHO risk assessment

              This outbreak of EVD is affecting north-eastern provinces of the country, which border Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. Potential risk factors for transmission of EVD at the national and regional levels include: transportation links between the affected areas, the rest of the country, and neighbouring countries; the internal displacement of populations; and the displacement of Congolese refugees to neighbouring countries. The country is concurrently experiencing other epidemics (e.g. cholera, vaccine-derived poliomyelitis, malaria), and a long-term humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the security situation in North Kivu and Ituri at times limits the implementation of response activities. WHO?s risk assessment for the outbreak is currently very high at the national and regional levels; the global risk level remains low. WHO continues to advise against any restriction of travel to, and trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on currently available information.
              As the risk of national and regional spread is very high, it is important for neighbouring provinces and countries to enhance surveillance and preparedness activities. The IHR Emergency Committee has advised that failing to intensify these preparedness and surveillance activities would lead to worsening conditions and further spread. WHO will continue to work with neighbouring countries and partners to ensure that health authorities are alerted and are operationally prepared to respond.
              WHO advice

              International traffic: WHO advises against any restriction of travel and trade to 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 passengers leaving the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 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.
              ...

              http://www.who.int/csr/don/08-novemb...-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


              • NOVEMBER 8, 2018 / 8:00 PM / UPDATED 14 HOURS AGO

                U.S. concerned about Ebola outbreak in Congo conflict zone: official

                Lesley Wroughton
                3 MIN READ

                WASHINGTON (Reuters) -
                ...
                ?We are absolutely concerned about the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo,? the senior USAID official, who is working with response teams, told Reuters.
                ...
                ?It is occurring in an area of active conflict, so physical insecurity is a persistent challenge and complication to the ongoing response efforts,? the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

                ?At this point we are not seeing cases spread across any incredibly large geographic area,? the official said, adding that most cases were in the city of Beni and increasingly in nearby Butembo.
                ...
                The USAID official said the United States had deployed over two dozen technical experts to the country to work with Congo?s health ministry since the outbreak was first reported in August.

                Since then, the United States had also deployed disaster and health experts from USAID and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

                The official declined to give specifics about responses and funding because of the security threat from armed groups.
                ...

                Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Editing by Leslie Adler

                "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


                • FDA authorizes emergency use of first Ebola fingerstick test with portable reader

                  For Immediate Release
                  November 9, 2018

                  Release

                  Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that an emergency use authorization (EUA) has been issued for a rapid, single-use test for the detection of Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus). This is the second Ebola rapid antigen fingerstick test available under EUA, but the first that uses a portable battery-operated reader, which can help provide clear diagnostic results outside of laboratories and in areas where patients are likely to be treated.

                  The test, called the DPP Ebola Antigen System, is used with blood specimens, including capillary ?fingerstick? whole blood, from individuals with signs and symptoms of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in addition to other risk factors, such as living in an area with large numbers of EVD cases and/or having contact with other individuals exhibiting signs and symptoms of EVD.

                  ?The scourge of Ebola tragically demonstrates that we?re a global community when it comes to public health protection. Infectious disease doesn?t recognize nation states. Bacteria and viruses don?t respect territorial boundaries. It takes a sustained, robust and globally coordinated effort to protect our nation and the global community from various infectious disease threats. We?re all in this together. To that end, our FDA team of experts in drugs, vaccines and diagnostics continue to collaborate with our Federal, international and industry partners to employ our collective expertise, experiences from previous incidents, and resources to assist in the global response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo,? said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. ?This EUA is part of the agency?s ongoing efforts to help mitigate potential, future threats by making medical products that have the potential to prevent, diagnosis or treat available as quickly as possible. We?re committed to helping the people of the DRC effectively confront and end the current Ebola outbreak. By authorizing the first fingerstick test with a portable reader, we hope to better arm health care providers in the field to more quickly detect the virus in patients and improve patient outcomes.?
                  ...
                  "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 IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

                    Friday, November 9, 2018

                    The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated November 8, 2018 :
                    A total of 319 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, of which 284 confirmed and 35 probable.
                    Of the 284 confirmed, 163 died and 97 are cured . The others are hospitalized in the different Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs) installed.
                    52 suspected cases under investigation.
                    7 new confirmed cases, including 3 in Beni, 2 in Butembo, 1 in Kyondo and 1 in Vuhovi.
                    A new confirmed case has been identified in a new Kyondo Health Zone, located next to Butembo Health Zone. The investigations are in progress.
                    7 new deaths of confirmed cases, including 3 in Beni, 2 in Butembo, 1 in Kyondo and 1 in Mutwanga.
                    6 new people healed, including 5 in Beni and 1 in Butembo.

                    ...
                    Message from His Excellency the Minister of Health

                    On Friday, November 9, 2018, the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri just exceeded that of the first epidemic recorded in 1976 in Yambuku. the province of Ecuador. To date, 319 cases and 233 deaths have been recorded.

                    At the sight of these figures, my thoughts and prayers go to the hundreds of bereaved families, the hundreds of orphans, and the missing families.

                    At the heart of this unprecedented response are hundreds of men and women who have been working tirelessly for more than three months in a difficult and volatile environment to prevent this epidemic from spreading to other provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Congo and neighboring countries.

                    No other epidemic in the world has been as complex as the one we are currently experiencing. Since their arrival in the region, the response teams have faced threats, physical assaults, repeated destruction of their equipment, and kidnapping. Two of our colleagues in the Rapid Response Medical Unit even lost their lives in an attack.

                    Yet, despite the risks and with the support of a majority of the population, our agents continue to do their job with passion and dedication to protect the Nation and the world.

                    Among their achievements, we particularly remember the vaccination, including in red areas, of more than 27,000 high-risk contacts, at least half of which could have developed the disease. Without the prompt and effective intervention of national and international experts, it is a drama of considerable magnitude that we would be experiencing at the moment. For this courage, they deserve all our gratitude.

                    However, this epidemic remains dangerous and unpredictable, and we must not let our guard down. We must continue to pursue a very dynamic response that requires permanent readjustments and real ownership at the community level.

                    We are writing a new page in history and public health. It is with the cooperation and the commitment of all, the Government, the international community, and especially the population, that we will overcome this epidemic.

                    Thank you.
                    ...
                    "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
                      DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                      EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

                      Saturday, November 10, 2018


                      The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated November 9, 2018 :
                      • Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 326, of which 291 confirmed and 35 probable. In total, there were 201 deaths (166 confirmed and 35 probable).
                      • Of the 291 confirmed, 166 died and 98 are cured . The others are hospitalized in the different Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs) installed.
                      • 47 suspected cases under investigation.
                      • 7 new confirmed cases, including 4 in Beni, 2 in Kalunguta and 1 in Musienene.
                      • 3 new deaths of confirmed cases, including 2 in Beni (including 1 postponed from 8 November) and 1 in Musienene.
                      • 1 new person healed in Butembo.
                      ...
                      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                      -Nelson Mandela

                      Comment


                      • Translation Google

                        Credit: Radio Okapi

                        ----------------------------
                        Translation Google


                        BULONGO: A total psychosis in the head of the population after the signal of the very first Ebola case confirmed

                        Posted on: 10/11/2018 at 16h04min53s

                        By Radio Moto Butembo-Beni

                        This situation is observed in the health zone of Mutwanga located largely in Ruwenzori sector since Friday, November 09, 2018. It is consecutive to the signal of the very first confirmed case of Ebola virus disease in Bulongo, Thursday, November 08, 2018. Bulongo is a rural commune located about 10 kilometers east of Mutwanga in the Beni territory.

                        The news fell like a bitter pill in the ears of thousands of Ruwenzori residents who had not yet heard of Ebola in their area. The first case to be reported in the Mutwanga health zone makes it obvious that the threat of the virus is not to be overlooked, since the Mutwanga health zone touches neighboring Uganda by Kasindi post-border. Kasindi fears, not only for his health, but also for his economy. This is the cry of the local committee to fight against epidemics that calls the team response to the Ebola virus disease to focus its attention on this situation. Kasindi fears that Uganda will close its borders with the DRC once the disease is declared in this commune.

                        When contacted by the press about this, Mutwanga's Chief Medical Officer of Health acknowledged the seriousness of the danger, but did not want to comment too much on it. The population of this health zone is anxiously awaiting an awareness of this fact, despite the inertia of health actors at this stage.


                        Posted on: 10/11/2018 at 16h04min53s
                        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



                        • Translation Google
                          DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                          EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

                          Sunday, November 11, 2018


                          The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated November 10, 2018 :
                          • Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 329, of which 294 confirmed and 35 probable. In total, there were 205 deaths (170 confirmed and 35 probable).
                          • 38 suspected cases under investigation.
                          • 3 new confirmed cases, including 2 in Beni and 1 in Kyondo.
                          • 4 new deaths of confirmed cases, including 2 in Beni and 2 in Butembo



                          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.
                          • A community death is a death in the community, outside of a licensed health center.
                          News of the response


                          Ebola Survivors Tracking Program
                          • At the ninth Ebola outbreak in Equateur Province, the Ministry of Health launched an Ebola survivors follow-up program to provide clinical, biological and psychosocial follow-up for people who have recovered from Ebola. . The Minister of Health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, also initiated the establishment of the National Association of Ebola Winners to bring together all survivors in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The national coordinator of the program and association is Dr. Richard Kitenge. Survivors' monitoring centers will be set up in Beni, Butembo and Mangina. The Ministry of Health gives priority to local health personnel in all areas of the program to build local capacity. The survivor monitoring program teams are reviewing the database of all survivors since the start of this tenth outbreak. The Ministry of Health will resume sharing survivor data as soon as this cleanup of the database is complete.

                          Vaccination
                          • Since the start of vaccination on August 8, 2018, 28,727 people have been vaccinated , including 14,966 in Beni, 4,544 in Mabalako, 2,152 in Katwa, 1,663 in Mandima, 1,435 in Butembo, 1,237 in Kalunguta, 732 in Masereka, 434 in Bunia, 355 in Tchomia, 293 in Vuhovi, 258 in Mutwanga, 240 in Komanda, 178 in Oicha, 160 in Musienene and 80 in Kyondo.



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

                          Comment


                          • Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/15-novemb...-ebola-drc/en/
                            Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

                            Disease outbreak news: Update
                            15 November 2018

                            New measures to overcome obstacles in responding to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are having a positive impact. The Ministry of Health (MoH), WHO and partners continue to be confident that, despite challenges, the outbreak can be contained.
                            Over the past week (7 ? 13 November), transmission continued in several areas of North Kivu Province, while a geographical expansion of the outbreak to two new health zones (Kyondo and Mutwanga) was observed (Figure 1). The first cases reported from these health zones were exposed through contact with cases in Butembo and Beni, respectively.
                            During the reporting period, 31 new confirmed EVD cases were reported from Beni, Mutwanga, Kalunguta, Butembo, Vuhovi, Kyondo and Musienene. Four of the new cases were newborn babies and infants aged less than two years, three were children aged between 2 ? 17 years and three were women who were pregnant or breastfeeding. Three health workers from Beni and Butembo were among the newly infected; 31 health workers have been infected to date. Twelve additional survivors were discharged from Beni (nine), Butembo (two) and Mabalako (one) Ebola treatment centres (ETCs) and reintegrated into their communities; 103 patients have recovered to date.
                            During the past week, a review and reconciliation of case records was conducted. This review resulted in the addition of 14 probable cases, invalidation of 11 past deaths previously reported as probable cases and exclusion of duplicate cases. In addition, some confirmed and probable cases were recategorized to health zones where their infection most likely occurred, as opposed to the location of the ETC where they were admitted.
                            As of 13 November, 341 EVD cases (303 confirmed and 38 probable), including 215 deaths (177 confirmed and 38 probable)1, have been reported in 11 health zones in North Kivu Province and three health zones in Ituri Province (Figure 1). The overall trends in weekly case incidence reflect the continuation of community transmission in several cities and villages in North Kivu (Figure 2). Given the expected delays in case detection and ongoing data reconciliation activities, trends, especially in the most recent weeks, must be interpreted cautiously.
                            The risk of the outbreak spreading to other provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as to neighbouring countries, remains very high. Over the course of the past week, alerts have been reported from South Sudan and Uganda; EVD has been ruled out for all alerts to date. The vaccination of health and frontline workers at priority sites in Uganda began on 7 November, and preparations are ongoing for the vaccination of health and frontline workers in Rwanda and South Sudan.
                            Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by health zone in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, Democratic Republic of the Congo, data as of 13 November 2018 (n=341)




                            Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset, data as of 13 November 2018 (n=341)*




                            *Data in recent weeks are subject to delays in case confirmation and reporting, as well as ongoing data cleaning ? trends during this period should be interpreted cautiously.
                            Public health response

                            The MoH continues to strengthen response measures, with support from WHO and partners. Priorities include coordinating the response, surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control (IPC), clinical management of patients, vaccination, risk communication and community engagement, psychosocial support, safe and dignified burials (SDB), cross-border surveillance and preparedness activities in neighbouring provinces and countries. To support the MoH, WHO is working intensively with a wide range of multisectoral and multidisciplinary regional and global partners and stakeholders for EVD response, research and urgent preparedness, including in neighbouring countries.
                            For detailed information about the public health response actions by WHO and partners, see the latest situation reports published by the WHO Regional Office for Africa:
                            WHO risk assessment

                            This outbreak of EVD is affecting north-eastern provinces of the country, which border Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. Potential risk factors for transmission of EVD at the national and regional levels include: transportation links between the affected areas, the rest of the country, and neighbouring countries; the internal displacement of populations; and the displacement of Congolese refugees to neighbouring countries. The country is concurrently experiencing other epidemics (e.g. cholera, vaccine-derived poliomyelitis, malaria), and a long-term humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the security situation in North Kivu and Ituri at times limits the implementation of response activities. WHO?s risk assessment for the outbreak is currently very high at the national and regional levels; the global risk level remains low. WHO continues to advise against any restriction of travel to, and trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on currently available information.
                            As the risk of national and regional spread is very high, it is important for neighbouring provinces and countries to enhance surveillance and preparedness activities. The IHR Emergency Committee has advised that failing to intensify these preparedness and surveillance activities would lead to worsening conditions and further spread. WHO will continue to work with neighbouring countries and partners to ensure that health authorities are alerted and are operationally prepared to respond.
                            WHO advice

                            International traffic: WHO advises against any restriction of travel and trade to 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 passengers leaving the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 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.
                            For more information, see:

                            Comment


                            • CDC Ebola expert on Congo outbreak: 'We're not making any progress'

                              Pierre Rollin, MD, an Ebola expert with the CDC, said first responders are making little progress in containing the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak, according to NPR.
                              Here are five things to know:
                              1. Dr. Rollin, who visited the Congo in October, said typical outbreaks are usually contained within three to four months. However, the Congo's Ebola outbreak is now on its fourth month, with few signs of slowing down.
                              "It's as if we're just starting [containment efforts] now when in fact we started three months ago," Dr. Rollin told NPR. "We're not making any progress."
                              2. Dr. Rollin said first responders are having trouble tracking Ebola patients and their contacts, who can set off a new train of disease transmission if they are not detected and treated.
                              "I was looking at the last 30 days of cases and two-thirds of them were of unknown origin ? so we can't trace them," he told NPR.
                              3. Further complicating response efforts is the ongoing violence in the outbreak zone, which could get worse during the country's national elections in December, according to Dr. Rollin.
                              4. Dr. Peter Salama, the World Health Organization's deputy director-general of emergency preparedness and response, on Nov. 13 said he expects the outbreak to continue until the middle of next year.
                              5. As of Nov. 14, the WHO has identified 344 confirmed and probable Ebola cases linked to the outbreak, along with 202 deaths.

                              Pierre Rollin, MD, an Ebola expert with the CDC, said first responders are making little progress in containing the Democratic Republic of Congo's Ebola outbreak, according to NPR.

                              Comment


                              • DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                                EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCES OF NORTH KIVU AND ITURI

                                Saturday, November 17, 2018


                                The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated November 16, 2018 :
                                • Since the beginning of the epidemic, the cumulative number of cases is 358, of which 311 are confirmed and 47 are probable. In total, there were 213 deaths (166 confirmed and 47 probable).
                                • 57 suspected cases under investigation.
                                • 6 new confirmed cases, including 4 in Beni, 1 in Katwa and 1 in Kalunguta.
                                • 3 new confirmed cases, including 2 in Beni and 1 in Katwa.

                                /! \ Cleaning the current database



                                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.
                                • A community death is a death in the community, outside of a licensed health center.
                                News of the response

                                security
                                • On the evening of Friday, November 16, 2018, an armed group made an incursion into Boikene neighborhood, Rwenzori commune, in the city of Beni, with the intention of attacking one of the bases of MONUSCO. The peacekeepers reacted immediately, pushing the rebel group after several hours of clashes, a few meters from the Ebola Response Emergency Operations Center and hotels in which several teams from the response were lodged.
                                • This Saturday, November 17, 2018, all field activities were suspended, and the Emergency Operations Center remained closed. All the teams stayed in their respective hotels.
                                • Health Minister Oly Ilunga Kalenga deplores the violence that has once again wounded the people of Beni and is slowing the efforts of the response teams to end the Ebola outbreak. The epidemic remains dangerous, especially in Beni. As a result, national and international teams continue to work alongside the population to end the epidemic.
                                Vaccination
                                • Since the start of vaccination on August 8, 2018, 31,713 people have been vaccinated , including 15,901 in Beni, 4,544 in Mabalako, 3,292 in Katwa, 1,663 in Mandima, 1,615 in Butembo, 1,602 in Kalunguta, 732 in Masereka, 434 in Bunia, 355 in Tchomia, 330 in Vuhovi, 292 in Mutwanga, 241 in Kyondo, 240 in Komanda, 210 in Musienene, 178 in Oicha, and 34 in Alimbongo.



                                ...
                                "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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