DRC - Ebola outbreak 2021 - declared over May 3, 2021

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Butembo: Pressure groups ready to support the fight against Ebola
8 hours ago Drafting RMBB

The pressure groups operating in the city of Butembo (North Kivu) were sensitized on the fight against Ebola this Saturday, February 20, 2021. They showed their determination to fight back against this virus. A commitment that was welcomed by the provincial minister of health in North Kivu.

To begin with, the representatives of the pressure groups called on each other to avoid the mistakes of the past, that of resisting against the response teams. It was after a t?te-?-t?te with the provincial minister of health in the large room at the Butembo town hall, that the latter mentioned that "the fight against the Ebola virus disease must be the only objective to be pursued by all. ".

“We got involved in the fight against this disease. And what we are doing is already raising awareness among our members, talking with them, showing them that although we may have the questions we can ask ourselves, the best thing is to fight the disease first. The disease is there and if we resist, we will be affected by this deadly disease. So in a short time you can die. Therefore, we must first fight against the disease, "said Grace Vanambwire Mbusa, Member of the Standing Parliament of Furu.

The provincial minister of health in North Kivu, Dr Nzanzu Syalita Eug?ne said he was satisfied with the commitment expressed by various pressure groups in the commercial town of Butembo.

“They expressed the sense of seeing that we should let the professionals fight and not import personnel who are not from the health sector. They made a commitment to fight against all rumors about Ebola, to convey the right information by reaching out to us. They have made a commitment to have handwashing devices in their various offices. And we also promised to lift some resistance that we see here and there ", he rejoiced.

So far, the cumulative number of positive Ebola virus cases stands at 6. The provincial health minister in North Kivu reveals that two other patients have died. One died on Friday evening in Biena health zone while the other died on Saturday in Katwa health zone. Hence the cumulative amount of 6 cases including 4 deaths.

Esther Vwiravwahali http://www.radiomoto.net/2021/02/20/...-contre-ebola/

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Ebola toll hits 4 in DR Congo as people 'resist' health measures

Ebola has also resurfaced in Guinea, where it has already killed five people.
AFP
PUBLISHED ON FEB 21, 2021 08:59 PM IST

Four people have died from the hemorrhagic Ebola virus during a new outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials said Sunday, warning that people are resisting measures to contain the highly contagious disease.

Since the epidemic's resurgence this month, "we have already registered six Ebola cases. We have lost four infected people," Eugene Syalita, the provincial health minister in North Kivu province in the DRC's east, told AFP.

Syalita said one person died Friday and another on Saturday, while the two others died in early February.

Two patients are receiving care at an Ebola treatment centre in Katwa near the major city of Butembo, he added.

Syalita complained that the region's residents were not taking the new outbreak seriously enough.

"Some families categorically refuse to have their homes disinfected or to hold dignified and safe funerals," the doctor said.

"People have not yet understood that Ebola has reappeared. Everything is not yet clear for them."

A vaccination drive was launched last Monday, but as with past outbreaks, people in the region doubt the existence of Ebola and reject measures aimed at checking its spread, including not to touch sick people and not to wash the dead....https://www.hindustantimes.com/world...917890488.html

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Ebola in Butembo: two patients died


Posted on Sun, 21/02/2021 - 00:57 | Modified on Sun, 21/02/2021 - 00:57

Two patients from the Ebola virus epidemic died on Friday February 19 and Saturday February 20 in the province of North Kivu. This is a woman from the Katwa health zone in Butembo and a man from the Biena health zone in Lubero territory who tested positive on Thursday February 18 in Butembo, indicates the provincial minister of Health, Dr Nzanzu Salita.

According to him, the deceased man was a contact with the very first Ebola case of the twelfth epidemic. This brings the total to six cases of Ebola already recorded, including four deaths.

“We have just recorded two deaths. One, we recorded it last night, another we just recorded this morning. There is an old and a new one, so there is the last case of Biena, so the 6th case that died, and there is also the 3rd case that died. So, out of the 6 (Ebola patients), we have just lost 4, and we still have to take care of 2 who are at the CTE (Ebola Treatment Center) in Katwa ”, detailed Dr Nzanzu Salita.

Dr Nzanzu Salita Eug?ne thus asks all contacts of these Ebola cases to go to health structures as quickly as possible in order to find out their state of health.
“We call on families not to make these deaths just another opportunity for contamination because we know that when an Ebola patient dies, the number of viruses is quite high at that time. So if you touch his body, you risk infecting yourself and infecting many people, ” the provincial minister warned.
He insists that the population does not hide with this disease.
“You have to get to care as quickly as possible, if you are in contact with a patient, contact our health structures to find out your state of health because, as soon as you have started the signs, you have little almost 10 days, ” advised Dr Nzanzu.

Awareness sessions
To limit the spread of the virus in Ebola, the provincial minister of health of North Kivu is increasing awareness sessions. On Saturday February 20, he met with pressure groups and citizen movements at City Hall. He called on everyone to get involved in raising public awareness for community engagement against this disease and against COVID-19.
Transmitting the real information and avoiding rumors around Ebola in order to avoid the errors known during the 10th Ebola epidemic, this is the key message from the provincial minister of health of North Kivu to his interlocutors.

"We expect citizen movements and pressure groups to convey real information to their members or activists and to the population because we know that it is among them that there are those who distort or who convey the bad information that confuses the population not to adhere to the control measures that are already decreed by the national authorities in connection with COVID-19 and with Ebola which is raging in this region, ” said Dr Nzanzu.
While committing to get involved in raising awareness against Ebola, representatives of pressure groups and citizen movements in turn pleaded for fluid communication from the teams involved in the response.
The day before, the provincial minister of health spoke with the drivers of the motorcycle taxis in order to solicit their community involvement.https://www.radiookapi.net/2021/02/2...alades-decedes

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Translation Google

Ebola: A 7th case notified in North Kivu

The provincial minister of health in North Kivu, Doctor Nzanzu Salita Eug?ne, during a lively press briefing this Monday, February 22, 2021 in the town of Butembo, announced a 7th positive case for the Ebola virus. This is the daughter of the second case notified in the Biena health zone, in Lubero territory. This new case is being taken care of in the Katwa health zone.

“ Since the epidemic was declared in North Kivu, we are currently registering 7 cases of Ebola. The last patient was diagnosed yesterday. She is from Masoya, mainly from Ngubi village. She's the daughter of the 2nd confirmed case we had. So this is a known contact and was on his twelfth day of follow-up. Currently, she is following care in the CTE (Ebola Treatment Center) in Katwa, ”Dr. Nzanzu Salita explained to 7SUR7.CD at the microphone.

He also affirms that the vaccination against Ebola " for people not yet vaccinated " started on Monday and will end on Tuesday 23 February next ".

In addition, the provincial minister of health in North Kivu denied rumors that an Ebola response team in charge of vaccination was attacked in the health zone of Biena (Lubero), last Sunday, by drivers of motorcycle taxis.

“ This is wrong. What is true is that the taximans were in mourning. And you know here with us how we manifest during mourning. They were sympathizing because one of their own had passed away. And after that, we had vaccinated more than 62 people. So, to tell you that we were not attacked, ”he said.

Since the reappearance of the Ebola virus epidemic in North Kivu, the cumulative number of cases is 7. 4 have died and 3 are being treated in the health zones of Biena (Lubero) and Katwa (Butembo). More than 500 contacts are followed.

Jo?l Kaseso, in Butembo

https://www.7sur7.cd/2021/02/22/ebola-un-7e-cas-notifie-au-nord-kivu

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Exclusive: Luca Attanasio, Italian Ambassador to Congo, was murdered on Monday by armed men
By Cheikh Dieng -22 February 202102
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Luca Attanasio, Italian Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), was assassinated on February 22 in an attack that targeted a World Food Program (WFP) convoy in which he was

The Democratic Republic of Congo is talking about it again. And this time, it is not the health crisis that plunges this country into misery or the return of Ebola which are in the headlines, but rather the cowardly assassination of the Italian ambassador killed this 22 February by armed men.

This is the information that just reached us a few minutes ago. Indeed, several Italian media including Corriere della Sera confirmed the death of Luca Attanasio on Monday. According to Congolese media Politico.cd, the 43-year-old Italian ambassador killed in Nyiragongo territory, North Kivu, where his convoy was attacked.

The information was confirmed by another Congolese media, Actualit?.cd, which tells us that the ambassador was admitted, shortly after the attack, to the MONUSCO hospital. Also according to the same source, the attack that claimed the lives of the diplomat and another Italian policeman occurred around 9:00 am on Monday.

On the news of his death, the Italian political class expressed its outrage. “It’s a dark and sad day for Italy. We learned with great consternation and immense pain of the death of our ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Luca Attanasio, and of a soldier of a rifleman Vittoria Locavacci ”, reacted this Monday Luigi Di Maio, Italian Minister of Affairs. foreigners.https://lecourrier-du-soir.com/exclu...-hommes-armes/

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Ebola virus disease outbreak in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021

Risk assessment
22 Feb 2021

On 7 February 2021, an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak was declared by the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in the North Kivu province in the eastern part of the country.
Executive summary


On 7 February 2021, an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak was declared by the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in the North Kivu province in the eastern part of the country. As of 18 February 2021, four confirmed cases of EVD, including two deaths, have been reported in the Biena and Katwa health zones. The first known case of EVD of this current outbreak died on 4 February. Laboratory testing confirmed infection with Ebola virus. North Kivu Provincial health authorities are currently leading the response, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the DRC Ministry of Health. So far more than 300 contacts have been identified and a vaccination campaign was started on 15 February 2021.

These EVD cases are the first cases of the disease reported in North Kivu, DRC, since the tenth outbreak was declared over in June 2020. The ongoing outbreak may spread to other areas within DRC and/or in neighbouring countries.
Risk assessed


Overall, the current risk for European Union/European Economic Area EU/EEA citizens living in or travelling to affected areas in DRC is considered low, as while disease in unvaccinated people is severe and most EU/EEA citizens are not commonly vaccinated against the disease, there is a very low likelihood of infection of EU/EEA citizens in the DRC. The current risk for citizens in the EU/EEA is considered very low, as the likelihood of introduction and secondary transmission within the EU/EEA is very low.
Options for response


EU/EEA visitors and residents in affected areas in DRC should apply the following precautionary measures:

• avoid contact with symptomatic patients/their bodily fluids, and bodies and/or bodily fluids from deceased patients;
• avoid consumption of bush meat and contact with wild animals, both alive and dead;
• wash and peel fruit and vegetables before consumption;
• wash hands regularly using soap or antiseptics;
• ensure safe sexual practices.

Significant developments for the prevention of EVD have been made, with two vaccines (Ervebo and Zabdeno/Mvabea) now licensed for use in several countries, including in the EU. DRC has approved the Ervebo vaccine.

Screening of travellers returning from DRC is not justified at this stage.
Download


Ebola virus disease outbreak in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2021 - EN - [PDF-320.02 KB

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/public...lic-congo-2021

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The new case is female, 23 yrs old
2nd case in this area
North Kivu in the territory of Lubero https://www.election-net.com/nord-ki...mul-passe-a-7/

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Three killed in attack on UN World Food Programme convoy in DR Congo


United Nations
23 Feb 2021, 04:21 GMT+10

The Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a World Food Programme (WFP) staff member, together with an Italian embassy official, were killed on Monday during an attack on a UN convoy in the east of the country, the agency has said.

A number of other passengers travelling with the delegation were injured.

The group was travelling from Goma, the capital of the North Kivu province, "Ebola Zone" to visit a WFP-run school feeding programme in Rutshuru (about 40 miles north of Goma), the agency said in a statement.

"WFP will work with national authorities to determine the details behind the attack, which occurred on a road that had previously been cleared for travel without security escorts", the agency added, noting that it is in close contact with the Italian authorities through its offices at its Rome headquarters and in the DRC.

According to media reports, the attack took place around 10 am local time. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, although a number of armed groups are active in the region...https://www.malaysiasun.com/news/267...oy-in-dr-congo

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@WHOAFRO?
25m
#DRC
#Ebola outbreak Situation Report (22/02/21)
7 cases
4 deaths
751 contacts, 78% monitored
324 people vaccinated https://twitter.com/WHOAFRO/status/1...928901/photo/1

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200 runners

DRC-Ebola: authorities worried about the leak of more than 200 contacts


The provincial minister of health of North Kivu is worried about the disappearance of more than 200 contacts of the first patients of the twelfth Ebola epidemic recently notified in Butembo and Lubero (North Kivu). Of the 752 registered contacts, only 581 are followed. The authorities have lost track of the others who refuse to appear before the response committee.

Speaking to the press on Monday, February 22 in Butembo, the provincial minister of health warned that these leaked contacts present a danger to the population. He fears that contaminated contacts may be the basis for the spread of the Ebola epidemic.

“We appeal to the population, to all contacts to be identified, to accept follow-up and not to flee. Because the sixth patient we had was a contact that had leaked and returned to the advanced stage of the disease, and we lost him. This is the opportunity to say, the more time we come, the more we have the chance to heal, ”urged Dr. Nzanzu Salita, Provincial Minister of Health.

The provincial health authority indicated that vaccination against Ebola is continuing in the health zones of Butembo, Katwa and Biena. Beyond contacts, this vaccination has just been extended to anyone interested.
Eligible people are children over six months of age, pregnant women past the first trimester of pregnancy, and anyone who has never been vaccinated against Ebola.

For Butembo, the vaccination sites are in particular the Medical Technical Institute (ITM) Kitatumba, the ISTM Hospital Center and the Trinity of Vusenzera, in the health zone of Butembo, as well as the Matanda hospital, the ITM Mutiri, the ITM Katwa and the Kowa room, in the Katwa health zone.
Until Monday, February 22, the authorities said they had recorded 7 cases of Ebola including 4 deaths.
Claude Sengenyahttps://actualite.cd/2021/02/22/rdc-...e-200-contacts

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Congo confirms three new Ebola cases

By Reuters Staff

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo (Reuters) - Three new cases of Ebola have been confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, bringing to 11 the number of cases since authorities declared a resurgence of the virus last month.

The new cases were detected in the Butembo health zone, the health minister of North Kivu province, Eugene Nzanzu Salita, told reporters.
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-h...AT2CV?rpc=401&

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Outbreaks and Emergencies Bulletin, Week 09: 22 - 28 February 2021
...

Ebola virus disease Democratic Republic of the Congo

8 Cases
4 Deaths
50.0% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak announced on 7
February 2021 in Butembo continues. However, there were no
new confirmed cases on 27 February 2021, marking five days
since the last confirmed case was reported, in Masoya health
area, Biena Health Zone. As of 27 February 2021, there are eight
confirmed cases, with four deaths (case fatality ratio 50.0%). In
the past 21 days, eight new cases have been confirmed, three
each in Biena, Katwa and Musienene health zones, spread among
five health areas.

No new contacts were listed on 27 February 2021. As of 27
February 2021, a total of 785 contacts have been listed, of whom
701 (89.3%) have been followed-up. A total of 84 have not been
followed-up; among these, 27 have never been seen, 37 are lost
to follow-up, 18 have not been seen in the past 24 hours and two
are displaced.

A total of 216 new alerts were reported on 27 February 2021,
including 11 deaths, from seven health zones. Of the 260 alerts to
date, 217 have been investigated, with 67 (30.8%) validated and
63 (94%) have provided samples.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

Coordination meetings continue, led by the Provincial
Minister for Health, with the participation of the head of the
North Kivu health division and partners.

As of 27 February 2021, a total of 799 people have been
vaccinated; 433 in Biena, 147 in Butembo, 207 in Katwa
and 12 in Musienene. First line providers are among those
vaccinated.

A total of 661 laboratory samples have been analysed since
the confirmation of the case on 7 February 2021.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) activities continue,
with a demonstration of activities at four schools in Katwa.
Risk communication and community engagement activities
include sensitization of communities around vaccination
activities and communication with young people around
resistance to response measures.

As of 27 February 2021, there were nine community alerts,
with eight bodies sampled and only four secure and dignified
burials performed; community death alerts came from all
affected health zones.

Six points of entry are operational in Katwa, Butembo and
Musienene; a total of 15 890 travellers were registered most
of whom were screened, sensitized and advised on hand
washing.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The current EVD resurgence in the Biena Health Zone is of
concern, although there has been no new case reported for five
days as of 27 February 2021. Challenges remain around low
adherence of contacts to immunization, poor alert management,
and inadequate case management in treatment centres, with
limited facilities for isolation of suspected and confirmed
cases. In addition, there are insufficient financial resources to
support all response pillar and logistical problems around poor
internet speed and data transmission. Authorities and partners
need urgently to address the financial shortfalls, so that these
challenges can rapidly be addressed.

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/339897/OEW09-2228022021.pdf

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Translation Google

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Information note - Resurgence of the Ebola virus disease epidemic in North Kivu (05 March 2021, report # 6)

FormatSituation Report Source

• OCHA

Posted 5 Mar 2021 Originally published 5 Mar 2021
Attachments

• Download document(PDF | 153.04 KB)

STATISTICS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE EPIDEMIC

11 confirmed cases
4 confirmed deaths
695 contacts to follow
2 healed
6 affected health areas, spread over 4 ZS
36.36% case fatality rate

OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION

Since the first confirmed case on February 6, the resurgence of EVD has left ten other patients, four of whom have died and two are cured. Two health workers were infected.

On March 3, the Provincial Minister of Health presided over a ceremony to unload the first two healed from the Katwa CTE in the town of Butembo. On this occasion, the psychosocial commission, supported by UNICEF, facilitated the return of the two recovered to their communities and ensures their follow-up as well as their reintegration. Indeed, it is essential to carry out support activities for people recovered from EVD, particularly because of the stigmatization and mistrust of community members and families towards them.

The weak response to alerts, especially in risk areas, continues to worry response teams. Of the eleven risk zones identified, only the health zone of Kalungunta reports it, in addition to the four health zones affected. This is all the more worrying as some contacts continue to move. In view of their mobility and that of populations through health zones, it is necessary to improve the reporting and sharing of information from health zones at risk with the general coordination so that appropriate actions are put in place to strengthen prevention.

Since the start of the vaccination campaign launched on February 15, to March 4, 932 people have been vaccinated, despite the availability of 2,000 doses in Butembo and Biena. This situation is explained by the reluctance of the populations towards vaccines and generally around the activities of the response.
The United Nations, through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), allocated $ 4 million to the EVD response to enable actors to carry out priority activities. Part of this envelope will also be used to strengthen the mechanisms of protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian AffairsTo learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.

https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/r-publique-d-mocratique-du-congo-note-d-informations-r-surgence-3

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Translation Google

Ituri: unknown disease kills two in Mambasa territory

In the territory of Mambasa (Ituri), two (2) people have died since Wednesday March 3 from an unidentified disease. Another case is still under surveillance, local sources say.

According to the provincial minister of health in Ituri, Dr Patrick Karamura Muira, who confirms this news, it is an epidemic which presents in particular hemorrhage among the symptoms.

“The first case died in hospital and another in the neighborhood with the same symptoms as well as a case that is under surveillance. Before the province makes a decision, or even the provincial health division, we must first do the investigations. This is how a team of experts has just been dispatched to the field for diagnostics. We will give you the results soon, ”he told ACTUALITE.CD.

This situation worries the local population, fearing a possible rebound in the Ebola epidemic. For its part, the provincial authority calls for the vigilance of the inhabitants.

“To the entire Iturian population, you know that we are running several epidemics and even the covid-19 pandemic. Here is even Ebola which is already reported in the sister province of North Kivu with several contacts on the Ituri side that we are monitoring, so anything that is fever, vomiting or vomiting blood or by other means, it is necessary alert because we are in a province where the Ebola epidemic has not yet been completely eradicated, ”added Dr Patrick Karamura Muira.

The territory of Mambasa was shaken by the 11 th Ebola epidemic. Several deaths were recorded there. Many contacts of cases of the 12 th Ebola epidemic were located in the territory of Mambasa.

Ituri province is also currently facing the covid-19 pandemic. There is also another epidemic of bubonic plagues, which embraces the territories of Djugu, Aru and Mahagi. Already more than 500 cases have been recorded since 2020 for this last disease.

Franck Asante, in Bunia

https://actualite.cd/2021/03/06/itur...ire-de-mambasa

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Translation Google

North Kivu: six successive days without a new Ebola patient

By Journal of Nations -March 8, 202108

Response activities against the 12th Ebola epidemic have been progressing favorably in the 4 affected health zones since February 7, 2021. Namely Biena, Katwa, Butembo and Musienene in North Kivu province in eastern DRC.

This is what the Provincial Minister of Health said on Monday March 8. According to Dr Nzanzu Syalita, no positive cases linked to Ebola have been recorded in the last six days.

It was the Butembo health zone that recorded the last Ebola positive patients on March 1. ?They are all from the same family. They are continuing care in the Katwa CTE. And their contacts must continue to be identified, ?said the Minister of Health in the provinces.

In the Biena health zone, the epicenter of the 12th epidemic, residents of the villages of KahekuA and Bwambwe have for some time been opposed to taking samples from the deceased for medical analyzes.

Doctor Nzanzu Syalita thus launches this message. ?As we are in an epidemic, we would like to take samples from any case of death so that we can be reassured that our compatriot did not die of Ebola. It will reassure us that we do not miss the Ebola cases that would be developing in the community ?

Since the Ebola resurgence in the region, the cumulative number has been 11 cases, including 4 deaths, 2 cured and 5 people undergoing medical treatment in the Ebola treatment centers of Katwa in Butembo and Masoya in Biena, reports the provincial committee of retaliate.

Djiress BALOKI (correspondent in North Kivu)

https://journaldesnations.net/la-une...malade-debola/