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

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  • #76



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

    Tshopo: A girl with signs of Ebola died in Kisangani

    Posted on Mon, 10/09/2018 - 13:50 | Edited Mon, 10/09/2018 - 13:50

    A 15-year-old girl with symptoms of Ebola died on Sunday (September 9th) at the Makiso Reference General Hospital in Kisangani (Tshopo). She died an hour after being rushed to hospital by her family members.

    This is an alert given the outbreak reported in North Kivu province, says the head of the provincial health division / Tshopo, Dr. Francis Baelongandi.

    The victim returned to Kisangani last week after spending her summer holidays in Mambassa territory in Ituri, reports Dr. Francis Baelongandi.

    The same source says that the family saw fit to send her daughter to the hospital after a few days of high fever and headaches.

    For the moment says Dr. Francis Baelongandi, about thirty contacts have been identified and are followed. Among them, 13 health providers and 26 other people in the family of the deceased and the immediate surroundings.

    Samples were taken from the victim as well as contact persons to be sent to the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB), says Dr. Baelongandi.

    After the death of the patient, urgent measures were taken, including the disinfection of the hospital, the nursing staff, the family home of the deceased and the secure burial of the body.

    Pending the results of analysis, measures of hygiene and sensitization on a large scale are recommended at this time, underlines the head doctor of provincial division of the Health.

    Une jeune fille de 15 ans présentant des symptômes de la maladie à virus Ebola est décédée dimanche 9 septembre à l’hôpital général de référence de Makiso à Kisangani (Tshopo). Elle est morte une heure après avoir été acheminée à l’hôpital par les membres de sa famille. Il s’agit d’une alerte au vu de l’épidémie déclarée dans la province du Nord-Kivu, affirme le chef de la division provinciale de la santé /Tshopo, Dr Francis Baelongandi.


    "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


    • #77
      Translation Google
      DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
      EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH KIVU
      Monday, September 10, 2018


      The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated September 9, 2018 :
      • A total of 132 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 101 confirmed and 31 probable.
      • Of the 101 confirmed, 60 died and 36 are cured .
      • 9 suspected cases are under investigation.
      • 1 new confirmed case in Butembo.
        • This is a man whose wife was one of confirmed cases of Mandima. The tests on his blood samples were negative, but the Ebola virus was identified in his sperm. He became ill during August and was admitted to the Makeke Health Center in the Mandima Health Zone (Ituri). He refused to transfer to Mangina's Ebola Treatment Center (ETC) but fled to Butembo and his illness had progressed well. During his recovery period, his wife visited him. Later, she became ill and was confirmed as suffering from Ebola.
      • 1 confirmed case death in Beni
      • 1 new person healed in 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


      Epidemiological surveillance
      • The Ministry of Health has received a haemorrhagic fever alert in Kisangani, the provincial capital of Tshopo. These are three girls from the same family returning from a vacation in Mambasa, a neighboring town in Mandima Health Zone where 9 confirmed cases of Ebola were recorded. All three samples were collected and sent to the Beni laboratory for analysis. The results are negative.

      Vaccination
      • Since the start of vaccination August 8, 2018, 7 .780 people were vaccinated , including 3,503 in Mabalako, 2284 in Beni, in 1257 Mandima 287 in Butembo, 220 Masereka, 121 Oicha, 70 and 38 to Katwa Kinshasa (medical staff to deploy).


      ...
      "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


      • #78
        Translation Google


        DRC: There is no Ebola outbreak in Goma, health authorities deny

        Health authorities have denied on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 rumors of the presence of a case of the Ebola outbreak in the city of Goma (North Kivu).

        The newly constructed Ebola Treatment Center (ETC) at Goma General Hospital has never hosted a case of the disease, said Dr Richard Kitenge, in charge of the response to the outbreak.

        "We have always had suspected Ebola cases. The one from yesterday (Monday) was taken and tested negative. In Goma, there is no Ebola case. We have put in a contingency plan that allows us to delve into all the cases that go through the care structures and meet the case definition. So, let the people calm down. This contingency plan ensures that only one case can not escape and that it can expose the population. The treatment center is already in place. There is a medical ambulance with trained staff. There are investigative teams that shoot in the city every day. We have prevention and protection teams that are also put in place. And those of awareness and communication, "he told ACTUALITE.CD.

        While the response has been against the disease since its outbreak in early August in the locality of Mangina, a second person was affected by the Ebola virus in the town of Butembo, about 300 km north of Goma, said Monday the Ministry of the health.

        "This is a man whose wife was one of the confirmed cases of Mandima (Ituri)." The tests performed on his blood samples were negative but the Ebola virus was identified in his sperm ", said the statement from the Ministry of Health.

        Any suspected cases detected in Goma are taken care of at the Ebola Treatment Center. "Once the sample is taken and the case is negative, the patient is discharged from the ETC," added Dr. Kitenge.

        The epidemic has already killed 91 people, including 60 of the 101 confirmed cases, according to a report drawn up on September 9, 2018 by the Ministry of Health. 36 patients were cured while 9 suspected cases are under investigation, according to the ministry.

        Patrick Maki

        Les autorités sanitaires ont démenti ce mardi 11 septembre 2018 les rumeurs faisant état de la présence d’un cas de l’épidémie à virus Ebola dans la ville de Goma (Nord-Kivu).

        "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


        • #79
          Translation Google
          DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
          EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN NORTH KIVU PROVINCE
          Thursday 13 September 2018



          The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 12 September 2018 :
          • A total of 137 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, of which 106 confirmed and 31 probable.
          • Of the 106 confirmed, 61 died and 37 are cured .
          • 17 suspected cases are under investigation.
          • 4 new confirmed cases, including 2 in Mabalako, 1 in Beni and 1 in Butembo.
          • No new deaths.





          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


          Videoconference between the Ministry of Health and the CDC Atlanta
          • This Thursday, September 13, 2018, the Minister of Health, Dr Oly Ilunga Kalenga, chaired a videoconference between Kinshasa Emergency Operations Center (EOC), Beni NUC and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.(CDC) Atlanta. This videoconference is an extension of the collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the CDC and the visit of CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield to the Democratic Republic of Congo last August. After a short word of welcome by the Minister of Health, the Beni-based response coordinator Dr Ndjoloko Tambwe Bathe presented the current dynamics of the epidemic. Secondly, exchanges focused on identifying and monitoring contacts in affected areas, and progress in vaccination. The various stakeholders decided to make these videoconferences each week in order to share the respective analyzes on the situation and the latest developments of the epidemic.

          Vaccination
          • Since the beginning of the vaccination on August 8, 2018, 8,738 people have been vaccinated , including 3,654 in Mabalako, 2,656 in Beni, 1,328 in Mandima, 544 in Butembo, 220 in Masereka, 150 in Katwa, 121 in Oicha and 65 in Kinshasa ( medical staff to deploy).


          ...
          "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


          • #80
            Translation Google
            DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
            EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH KIVU
            Friday 14 September 2018



            The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 13 September 2018 :
            • A total of 140 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 109 confirmed and 31 probable.
            • Of the 109 confirmed, 63 died and 37 are cured .
            • 13 suspected cases are under investigation.
            • 3 new confirmed cases in Beni.
            • 2 confirmed cases, including 1 in Mabalako and 1 in 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


            Press conference of coordination of the response to Beni
            • The coordination of the response to Beni held a press conference on Friday, September 14, 2018 to present the results of the first six weeks of the response. Response Coordinator Dr. Ndjoloko Tambwe Bathe chaired the press conference with the head of the North Kivu Provincial Health Division, Dr Janvier Kubuya, and the WHO Emergency Operations Officer in Africa. , Dr. Michel Yao. This press conference was also an opportunity to remind journalists of their role during an epidemic, namely to inform the population on the evolution of the epidemic, to raise awareness of the good behavior to adopt and to calm it by denying rumors. .
            • Some highlights of the press conference:
              • The laboratory is one of the essential elements of the response. The coordinator explained that the average time to obtain the results of the sample tests is 3 hours with Gene Xpert. A scientific breakthrough is the ability to differentiate Ebola from other acute viral infections (Marburg virus, Rift Valley fever, Crimean-Congo fever) and arboviruses (yellow fever, West Nile virus, Zika, Dengue, Chikungunya) in 24 hours thanks to the differential diagnosis.
              • The coordination identified 400 priority schools to benefit from hygiene kits offered by the government or partners. Of these 400 schools, 369 have already been supplied. It was recalled that having a handwashing kit for students and teachers is a civic duty for all schools, even outside a period of epidemic.
              • The coordinator responded to criticisms that the sensitizers were not from the region by recalling that 90% of social mobilisers were hired locally and are Nande, the majority ethnic group in the Beni and Butembo regions. Moreover, the coordination collaborates with about twenty local NGOs in the sensitization of the population.
              • At the psycho-social level, all patients admitted to different Ebola treatment centers and their families receive psychological support. All children orphaned by Ebola are 100% nutritionally assisted.
              • With regard to staffing, the coordinator explained how the system of standardized premium scales applies to the entire Ministry of Health. The difference in rates between local staff who reside locally and staff from other provinces is justified by the fact that non-local providers have to pay for their housing and other livelihoods for the duration of their mission.

            Vaccination
            • Since the start of vaccination on 8 August 2018, 8,963 people have been vaccinated , including 3,667 in Mabalako, 2,781 in Beni, 1,365 in Mandima, 594 in Butembo, 220 in Masereka, 150 in Katwa, 121 in Oicha and 65 in Kinshasa ( medical staff to deploy).


            ...
            "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


            • #81
              Translation Google

              Ituri: a person with Ebola symptoms died in Mahagi

              Posted on Sat, 15/09/2018 - 12:33 | Edited on Sat, 15/09/2018 - 12:33

              A person with symptoms of Ebola died on Saturday, September 15 in Mokambo in the Mahagi territory. The victim is among the suspected cases registered in this territory and in Gety, in the territory of Irumu (Ituri), says provincial interim governor, Keta Pacific. According to him, all these two cases show symptoms similar to this disease.

              However, he assures that the samples were taken and sent to Beni for analysis and that, pending the results, he can not speak of Ebola.

              "We do not have confirmation yet that this is a case of Ebola. We asked the administrator of Mahagi to make all the arrangements to calm the population, "quiets Pacific Keta.

              A suspected case of Ebola was reported in Mokambo, about 10 km away, before arriving at Lake Albert. Civil society sources report that the victim, mother of three, started vomiting blood with high fever and diarrhea.

              She was taken to the Wi-lanyi Health Center in Mokambo where she died a few hours later.

              The second case is that of Gety in the Walendu Bindi chieftaincy. According to the interim governor of Ituri, this patient shows the same signs similar to Ebola. He is interned at the moment at Gety hospital.

              "In the case of Gety, the person is still alive. We are sending an on-site team to take care of it, "says Pacific Keta Upar.

              These suspicious cases create a psychosis among the inhabitants. They fear that these cases will be confirmed, since many of them have been in contact with the patients.

              The interim governor calls for calm and says all services are on standby for the response in case the results are declared positive.

              Une personne présentant des symptômes de la maladie à virus Ebola est décédée, samedi 15 septembre à Mokambo dans le territoire de Mahagi. La victime fait partie des cas suspects enregistrés dans ce territoire et à Gety, dans le territoire d’Irumu (Ituri), indique le gouverneur intérimaire de province, Pacifique Keta. Selon lui, tous ces deux cas manifestent des symptômes similaires à cette maladie. Toutefois, il assure que les échantillons ont été prélevés et envoyés à Beni pour analyse et qu’en attendant les résultats, il ne peut déjà parler d’Ebola.
              "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
              -Nelson Mandela

              Comment


              • #82
                Translation Google
                DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN NORTH KIVU PROVINCE
                Saturday 15 September 2018



                The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 14 September 2018 :
                • A total of 140 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 109 confirmed and 31 probable.
                • Of the 109 confirmed, 64 died and 37 are cured .
                • 5 suspected cases are under investigation.
                • No new confirmed cases notified.
                • 1 confirmed case death in 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


                /! \ Stop rumors /! \
                • Several messages circulating on the social networks affirm that confirmed cases of Ebola have been identified in Kabalo and that 4 suspected cases would be hospitalized at the General Reference Hospital of Kalemie, in the province of Tanganyika. These rumors are entirely false . An alert in Kabalo was reported several days ago. The samples had been sent to the INRB and the tests had proved negative.
                • As a reminder, only laboratory tests carried out by the laboratory staff of the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB) can confirm or invalidate the presence of the virus in the blood of a sick person.

                Motorized caravan
                • This Saturday, September 15, 2018, the Ministry of Health organized a motorized caravan that circulated through the city of Beni to raise awareness about the Ebola virus disease. Three busy public places were selected for the stops of this first caravan. These included the Oicha car park, the central market and the Kanzuli Nzuli roundabout. This Saturday, the city vibrated to the sound of the caravan on which was a local comedian to animate the crowd. At each stop, the population was invited to ask their questions and share their concerns with the teams of experts. After this exchange session, a competition was organized to test the public's understanding of the disease. Gifts for those who answered the questions included bottles of disinfectant offered by Airtel, Save the Children handwashing kits, and polo shirts donated by UNICEF and UNFPA. The event was recorded and will be broadcast on local radio stations.

                ...
                "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


                • #83
                  Translation Google
                  DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                  EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH KIVU

                  Sunday 16 September 2018


                  The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated September 15, 2018 :
                  • A total of 142 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 111 confirmed and 31 probable.
                  • Of the 111 confirmed, 66 died and 38 are cured .
                  • 4 suspected cases are under investigation.
                  • 2 new confirmed cases including 1 in Beni and 1 in Butembo.
                  • 2 confirmed case deaths in Beni.
                  • 1 new person healed 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


                  surveillance
                  • A joint investigation team was sent to the Komanda Health Zone, north of Beni City, after an Ebola confirmed case died at the Ebola treatment center in Beni. The purpose of the mission is to identify contacts and define vaccination belts.
                  • To date, 4,038,431 travelers have been checked at the various entry points set up.
                  Vaccination
                  • Immunization activities continue in the 48 vaccination belts spread over the 7 affected health zones. A data consolidation and harmonization process is underway. We will resume publishing immunization data as soon as this process is completed.



                  ...
                  "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


                  • #84
                    Translation Google

                    Negative result after Ebola cases analysis in Irumu and Mahagi

                    Posted the game, 20/09/2018 - 12:39 | Changed the game, 20/09/2018 - 12:39

                    The results of the analysis of samples collected last weekend on some suspected cases of Ebola virus disease in Gety in Irumu territory and in Mokambo in Mahagi in Ituri are negative. Dr Bate Njoloko, head of the Ebola response at the National Ministry of Health, made the announcement on Wednesday (19 September) at Radio Okapi, after analysis at the INRB laboratory in Beni.

                    Bate Njoloko, however, urges the population to respect the hygiene measures for the prevention against this epidemic, which is still present in the Northeast region of the country. It affects in particular the territories of Beni in North Kivu and Mambasa in Ituri.


                    "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


                    • #85
                      Source: http://www.who.int/csr/don/20-septem...-ebola-drc/en/
                      Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

                      Disease outbreak news
                      20 September 2018

                      The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains active. While substantial progress has been made to limit the spread of the disease to new areas and the situation in Mangina (Mabalako Health Zone) is stabilizing, the cities of Beni and Butembo have become the new hotspot. Response teams continue to enhance activities to mitigate potential clusters in these cities and prevent spread to other areas.
                      Significant risks for further spread of the disease remain. Continued challenges include contacts lost to follow-up, delayed recognition of EVD in health centres, poor infection prevention and control (IPC) in health centres, and reluctance among some cases to be treatment in Ebola treatment centres (ETCs). While the majority of communities have welcomed response measures, in some, risks of transmission and poor disease outcomes have been amplified by unfavourable behaviours, with reluctance to adopt prevention and risk mitigation strategies. The priority remains strengthening all components of the public health response in all affected areas, as well as continuing to enhance operational readiness and preparedness in the non-affected provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries.
                      Since the last Disease Outbreak News (data as of 12 September), five new confirmed EVD cases were reported: four from Beni and one from Butembo health zones. All have been linked to ongoing transmission chains within these respective communities.
                      As of 18 September 2018, a total of 142 EVD cases (111 confirmed and 31 probable), including 97 deaths (66 confirmed and 31 probable)1 have been reported in seven health zones in North Kivu Province (Beni, Butembo, Kalunguta, Mabalako, Masereka, Musienene and Oicha), and Mandima Health Zone in Ituri Province (Figure 1). An overall decreasing trend in weekly case incidence continues (Figure 2); however, these trends must be interpreted with caution given the expected delays in case reporting and the ongoing detection of sporadic cases. Of the 135 probable and confirmed cases for whom age and sex information is known, adults aged 35?44 years (23%) and females (56%) accounted for the greatest proportion of cases (Figure 3). Cumulatively, 19 (18 confirmed and one probable) health workers have been affected to date, three of whom have died.
                      The Ministry of Health (MoH), WHO and partners continue to closely monitor and investigate all alerts in affected areas, in other provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in neighbouring countries. As of 18 September 2018, nine suspected cases are awaiting laboratory testing. Since the last report was published, alerts were investigated in several provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as in neighbouring countries; and to date, EVD has been ruled out in all alerts from neighbouring provinces and countries.
                      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 18 September 2018 (n=142)




                      Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset, data as of 18 September 2018 (n=142)*




                      *Data in recent weeks are subject to delays in case confirmation and reporting, as well as ongoing data cleaning.
                      Figure 3: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by age and sex, data as 18 September 2018 (n=135)*




                      *Age and/or sex unknown for n=7 cases.
                      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, IPC measures, clinical management of patients, vaccination, risk communication and community engagement, safe and dignified burials (SDB), cross-border surveillance, and preparedness activities in neighbouring provinces and countries.
                      • As of 18 September, 209 experts have been deployed by WHO to support response activities including emergency coordinators, epidemiologists, laboratory experts, logisticians, clinical care specialists, communicators, and community engagement specialists.
                      • Over 5000 contacts have been registered to date, of which 1983 remain under surveillance as of 18 September2
                      • As of 19 September, 58 vaccination rings have been defined, in addition to 24 rings of health workers and other frontline workers. These rings include the contacts (and their contacts) of all confirmed cases from the last four weeks. To date, 10 701 people consented and were vaccinated, including 4008 health care or frontline workers, and 2362 children. The ring vaccination teams are currently active in three health areas in North Kivu and one in Ituri.
                      • ETCs remain fully operational in Beni and Mangina with support from The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) and M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF), respectively. MSF Switzerland and the MoH are supporting a temporary treatment center in Butembo where a fully functional ETC will open soon. The Makeke ETC in Ituri Province, which is supported by International Medical Corps (IMC), was inaugurated on 18 September. Samaritan's Purse continues to support IPC activities in Bunia.
                      • ETCs continue to provide therapeutic agents under the monitored emergency use of unregistered and experimental interventions (MEURI) protocol in collaboration with the MoH and the Institut National de Recherche Biom?dicale (INRB). WHO is providing technical clinical expertise and mentoring onsite.
                      • WASH and IPC activities are ongoing in the DRC and are supported by a number of partners in the field. Numerous activities have occurred in health facilities in the affected areas which include facility assessments, decontamination of centres, establishment of triage areas, and training on standard precautions as well as Ebola-specific IPC measures, which include personal protective equipment donning and doffing.
                      • The MoH, WHO, UNICEF, Red Cross and partners are intensifying activities to engage with local communities in the affected areas. Local leaders, religious leaders, opinion leaders, and community networks such as youth groups, women?s group and motorbike taxi drivers are being engaged on a daily basis to support community outreach for Ebola prevention and early care seeking through active dialogues on radio, community gatherings and house-to-house visits. Community feedback is being systematically collected and concerns are being addressed. Local frontline community outreach workers are working closely with Ebola response teams to strengthen community engagement and psychosocial support in contact tracing, patient care, SDBs and vaccination of close contacts. The current focus is to intensify activities aimed at addressing community concerns through direct partnership with community members.
                      • Expert teams have deployed to six at-risk provinces (Bas Uele, Haut Uele, Ituri, Maniema, South Kivu and Tanganika) to facilitate implementation of priority readiness actions, including strengthening multisectoral coordination, surveillance for early detection, laboratory diagnostic capacity, points of entry (PoE) surveillance, rapid response teams, risk communication, social mobilization and community engagement, case management and IPC capacities, operations support, and logistics.
                      • As of 17 September, health screening has been established at 43 PoEs and close to four million travellers have been screened at these PoEs.
                      • 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. This includes the UN secretariat, sister Agencies, including International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), multiple Clusters, and peacekeeping operations; World Bank and regional development banks; African Union, and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and regional agencies; Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), Steering Committee, technical networks and operational partners, and the Emergency Medical Team Initiative. GOARN partners continue to support the response through deployment for response, and readiness activities in non-affected provinces and in neighbouring countries.

                      WHO risk assessment

                      This outbreak of EVD is affecting north-eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which border Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan. Potential risk factors for transmission of EVD at the 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 the displacement of Congolese refugees to neighbouring countries. The country is concurrently experiencing other epidemics (e.g. cholera, vaccine-derived poliomyelitis), and a long-term humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the security situation in North Kivu and Ituri continues to hinder the implementation of response activities. Based on this context, the public health risk was assessed to be high at the national and regional levels, and low globally.
                      As the risk of national and regional spread remains high, 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 operationally ready to respond.
                      WHO advice

                      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 closely monitor and, if necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event. Currently, no countries have implemented any travel restriction 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:



                      1The number of cases is subject to change due to ongoing reclassification, retrospective investigation, and the availability of laboratory results.
                      2The total number of contacts under surveillance is highly dynamic with new cases being registered daily, and those who complete 21 days of post-exposure follow-up, without developing symptoms, are released from surveillance.

                      Comment


                      • #86
                        Translation Google
                        DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                        EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN NORTH KIVU PROVINCE

                        Thursday 20 September 2018


                        The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 19 September 2018 :
                        • A total of 143 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, of which 112 were confirmed and 31 were probable.
                        • Of the 112 confirmed, 66 died and 39 are cured .
                        • 7 suspected cases are under investigation.
                        • 1 new confirmed case in Butembo.
                        • No new case deaths confirmed.
                        • 1 new person healed in Beni. This is the first healed person from the Ndindi neighborhood in the city of Beni where the resistance began.





                        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


                        Vaccination
                        • Since the beginning of vaccination on August 8, 2018, 10,663 people have been vaccinated , including 3,935 in Mabalako, 3,409 in Beni, 1,582 in Mandima, 814 in Butembo, 373 in Katwa, 270 in Masereka, 121 in Oicha, 94 in Komanda and 65 in Kinshasa (medical staff to deploy).

                        Announcement of the return of the first Ebola survivor from Ndindi neighborhood in the city of 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


                        • #87
                          Translation Google

                          Ebola in the DRC: the 100 victims hit


                          Sunday, September 23, 2018 - 21:33

                          The Ebola epidemic that strikes the territories of Beni, Lubero and part of the province of Ituri has made its hundredth victim, announced the ministry of health in a statement this Sunday, September 23.

                          The virus is confirmed in 118 of the 148 people with hemorrhagic fever in the area, according to the same report. Of the 100 dead, only 69 are confirmed cases.
                          ...
                          On Sunday, the response teams temporarily suspended field activities including Ebola vaccination, follow-up of contacts and sensitization after Ugandan rebels of Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked the city of Beni Saturday night.

                          Eighteen (18) people including 14 civilians and four soldiers were killed in clashes, according to a count made by the army and civil society. The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and its partners reported identifying 155 orphaned and unaccompanied children as a result of the current epidemic.
                          ...

                          Christine Tshibuyi

                            L'épidémie d'Ebola qui frappe les territoires de Beni , Lubero et une partie de la province de l'Ituri a fait sa centième victime, a annoncé le ministère de la santé dans un communiqué  ce dimanche 23 septembre.


                          ---------------------------------------------------------------
                          MIN SANTE - PRESS RELEASE - 24 SEPTEMBER 2018

                          Message from His Excellency the Minister of Health following incidents in the city of Beni this Saturday, September 22, 2018

                          Dear residents of the city of Beni,

                          I would first like to offer my sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the violent incidents that occurred in the city of Beni this Saturday, September 22, 2018.

                          As you know, the Government of the Republic, through the Ministry of Health, deployed in Beni and surrounding areas hundreds of experts from Kinshasa and North Kivu in the first week of August to respond to the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic .

                          We are aware that this Ebola outbreak is a new plague that adds to the burdens that have plagued you for many years. Also, we are making every effort to ensure that this epidemic, which has already killed 100 people since its occurrence, is not the source of a new tragedy for the people of North Kivu.

                          The experience of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa from 2014 to 2016 has shown that an epidemic that starts in a village can decimate entire families, villages, neighborhoods, and even cities. More than 11,000 people lost their lives. We can not allow such a tragedy to happen here. For this, it is essential for the community to become aware of the seriousness of the situation and facilitate the ongoing response by collaborating with the health authorities.

                          I personally want to assure you that, despite the unfortunate events of the last few days, the Ministry of Health remains fully committed and committed to your community.

                          Out of respect for the mourning population, we had temporarily suspended some field activities that required us to go to the households this Sunday, September 23, 2018.

                          However, we inform you that all the pillars of the response remain fully operational and that the teams remain prepared to intervene in case of emergency:
                          • The Beni Ebola Treatment Center remains open to patients;
                          • Free healthcare in all approved health centers remains effective, including for victims of violence;
                          • Emergency teams remain available to receive and investigate alerts;
                          • Vaccinators are also willing to continue vaccination; and
                          • Psychologists are willing to support the families of the victims.

                          We share your sorrow. Do not let these tragic incidents divide us. Let us stand united and united because, beyond the medical response, the only way to end the Ebola Virus Disease epidemic remains the mobilization and commitment of the community alongside the health authorities.

                          Thank you.

                          Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga
                          Minister of Health


                          ...
                          "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


                          • #88
                            Translation Google
                            DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR DISEASE CONTROL
                            EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SITUATION IN THE PROVINCE OF NORTH KIVU

                            Monday 24 September 2018


                            The epidemiological situation of the Ebola Virus Disease dated 23 September 2018 :
                            • A total of 150 cases of haemorrhagic fever were reported in the region, 119 confirmed and 31 probable.
                            • Of the 119 confirmed, 69 died and 41 are cured .
                            • 9 suspected cases are under investigation.
                            • 1 new case confirmed in Tchomia, which is the partner of the first confirmed case died of Tchomia. He was placed in isolation at the Kasenyi Hospital Center.
                            • No new deaths.
                            • 1 new person healed 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


                            Coordination
                            • Coordinators went to Bunia, the capital of Ituri Province, to prepare for the installation of the local sub-coordination. They held working sessions with the Vice Governor of the province, Pacific Keta Upar, and local and international partners in the response. The Tchomia site has been selected for the location of the local sub-coordination where the teams will meet and where the Ebola Treatment Center (ETC) and the mobile laboratory will be installed.

                            Medical care
                            • To date, 38 patients have been treated with mAb 114, Remdesivir, or Zmapp. Of these 38 patients, 19 are cured and have been discharged, 12 have died and 7 are still hospitalized.

                            surveillance
                            • To date, 5,391,475 travelers have been checked at the various entry points set up.

                            Vaccination
                            • Since vaccination began on August 8, 2018, 11,563 people have been vaccinated , including 4,065 in Mabalako, 3,652 in Beni, 1,632 in Mandima, 884 in Butembo, 683 in Katwa, 270 in Masereka, 164 in Komanda, 121 in Oicha, 65 in Kinshasa (medical staff to be deployed), and 27 in Tchomia.



                            ...
                            "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


                            • #89
                              SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 / 3:52 AM / UPDATED 3 HOURS AGO

                              WHO extremely concerned about Ebola 'perfect storm' in Congo

                              Tom Miles

                              GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that an Ebola outbreak in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo could worsen rapidly because of attacks by armed groups, community resistance and the geographic spread of the disease.

                              ?We are now extremely concerned that several factors may be coming together over the next weeks and months to create a potential perfect storm,? WHO?s head of emergency response Peter Salama told a news conference in Geneva.
                              ...
                              Attacks by armed opposition groups had increased in severity and frequency, especially those attributed to the Alliance of Democratic Forces, most dramatically an attack that killed 21 in the city of Beni, where WHO?s operation is based.

                              The city has declared a ?ville morte?, a period of mourning until at least Friday, obliging WHO to suspend its operations.
                              ...
                              "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


                              • #90
                                Ebola-hit DRC faces ‘perfect storm’ as uptick in violence halts WHO operation




                                25 September 2018

                                A "perfect storm" of active conflict and traumatized communities in Ebola-affected areas of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) could enable the deadly disease to spread, but there are “no plans” to pull UN workers out of the country despite concerns for their security, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

                                “We are now extremely concerned, that several factors may be coming together over the next weeks to months to create a potential perfect storm,” said Dr Peter Salama, WHO Deputy Director-General for Emergency Preparedness and Response. “A perfect storm of active conflict, limiting our ability to access civilians, distress by segments of the community, already traumatized by decades of conflict and of murder.”

                                The senior WHO official’s comments follow a spate of attacks, including one that killed at least 21 civilians on Saturday in the city of Beni, where WHO’s Ebola-response teams are based.
                                Several factors may be coming together over the next weeks to months to create a potential perfect storm - Dr. Peter Salama, WHO
                                “We’ve seen attacks now on August 24, September 3, 9, 11, 16, 21 and most recently and most dramatically September 22 in the city itself of Beni,” he said. He said that Beni was the base for the agency’s base for the “entire operation.”

                                Apart from the worrying targeting of civilians, Dr. Salama expressed concern that in the aftermath of the latest attack, outraged communities had declared Beni a “ville morte” so that mourners can grieve, effectively suspending UN operations.

                                “We’ve heard this morning, that that ‘ville morte’, which was yesterday, has now been extended right through to Friday of this week,” he said, “which basically means for the UN family, including WHO, a lockdown in Beni. Our operations are in effect suspended.”

                                The development meant that on Monday, WHO staff were able to reach only 20 per cent of the contacts they wanted to, in and around Beni, Dr Salama said.

                                Butembo could also declare a “ville morte” in coming days in sympathy with the people of Beni, he said, potentially increasing the chances of the situation deteriorating rapidly.

                                “If we do see unsafe burials that can’t be responded to and symptomatic people that can’t be accessed, we can see this situation deteriorating very quickly,” Dr. Salama said.

                                In addition to many people’s fear of Ebola, the WHO senior official explained that the situation was being further complicated by local politicians who “exploited and manipulated” them prior to upcoming elections.

                                Social media reaction to the outbreak was also adding to a “range of conspiracy theories”, Dr Salama said, adding that people have been “actively fleeing” health-workers, including in places where there have been a large number of cases in recent weeks.

                                In the nearly two months since the outbreak was declared, there have been 150 confirmed and probable cases of the disease, and 100 people have died, as of 23 September. Ebola’s symptoms include high fever and vomiting, which make it difficult to treat, because it resembles many other illnesses in its early stages.

                                Speaking to journalists at the UN in Geneva, Dr Salama noted that the international response to the major public health threat had been excellent and that donors have responded “very quickly and generously” to this latest outbreak, which is DRC’s tenth since the 1970s.

                                This progress risks being undone by the uptick in violence in the Kivus region, which is home to more than 100 armed groups, he said, before noting that neighbouring countries now also face an increased risk of the disease spreading.

                                'There are no plans for WHO or UN staff to pull out'

                                “We call on the international community to continue to fund the response,” he said, “both in North Kivu, but also, and this is increasingly important, in the neighbouring provinces of the Kivus and Ituri, and in surrounding countries."

                                One of the armed groups in DRC which pose a threat to civilians and the international response to Ebola, the ADF – Allied Democratic Forces - has sufficient military capacity to ambush blue helmets from the UN'a Stabilization Mission in DRC (MONUSCO) and government forces – the FARDC.

                                “The ADF in particular has enormous capabilities,” Dr Salama said. “They’ve been able to overrun entire FARDC-bases in and around Beni, they’ve been able to ambush (UN) forces."

                                Asked whether the increasing violence may force WHO to leave the area, Dr Salama said that there were “no plans” to do so and that only a “very significant presence” of the UN and its partners could stop the disease.

                                “There are no plans for WHO or UN staff to pull out,” he added. “You know the UN philosophy is to stay and deliver under all circumstances unless we become direct targets of violence.”

                                “I don’t believe…we can stop Ebola without a very significant presence of UN and partners, despite the fact that the Ministry of Health has exerted great leadership and is doing an extremely good job in this response,” he added.

                                https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/09/1020392

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

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