Congo - Outbreak of monkeypox in the department of Likouala

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Likouala_Department

Translation Google

Health: the epidemic "Smallpox of monkeys" was declared in the Likouala

Monday 13 March 2017 - 18:49

The viral disease has surfaced in the districts of Impfondo, B?tou, Enyelle and Dongou in subjects of 4 to 40 years. The Minister of Health and Population, Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo, who officially declared it on March 13, reported three deaths, stating that the Government is already working to stem the evil.

After 2003, monkey pox reappears for a second in the department of Likouala. It is manifested by pimples filled with liquid all over the body, including the scalp. The contamination is done by contact between a sick animal and the man then from a sick man to a breast subject. "The treatment to date is symptomatic, there is no vaccine against the disease," said the Minister of Health and Population in her statement. Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo has also specified that the well-circumscribed disease presents risks of spread.

Thus, the Government is implementing a response plan through several measures: the establishment of a multidisciplinary and multisectoral coordination team with the support of WHO and other bilateral partners, in particular the United States; The free and secure care of patients; Advocacy and social mobilization with local authorities and communities; Reinforcement of campaigns and sensitization through the media.

There is also a strengthening of epidemiological surveillance, with the formal prohibition of touching monkeys and other wild and domestic animals; The strengthening of individual and collective hygiene through the disinfection of places such as the homes of the sick, health facilities and schools as well as other public places ... "The implementation of this plan to fight monkey smallpox requires A vigilance of the population and a pooling of efforts. I call on the technical and financial partners to give their usual support to quickly curb this epidemic, "said Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo, pointing out that the teams are already on the ground.

Romain Nerplat Makaya

http://www.adiac-congo.com/content/sante-lepidemie-variole-de-singe-sest-declaree-dans-la-likouala-62045

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Source: Week 18: 29 April - 05 May 2017

http://www.afro.who.int/en/clusters-a-programmes/whe/outbreaks-and-other-emergencies-updates.html

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 18: 29 April ? 05 May 2017
Data as reported by 17:00 05 May 2017

Excerpt:

Monkeypox Congo
Event description
70
Cases
4
Deaths
CFR
5.7%


This is an update on the outbreak of monkeypox in Likouala province
located in the northern part of Congo Republic. The outbreak, notified
to WHO on 01 February 2017 and formally declared by the Congo
state authority on 13 March 2017 is still persisting. During week 16
(week ending 23 April 2017), 4 new suspected cases of monkeypox
and zero death were reported from Betou district. As of 23 April 2017,
a total of 70 cases including 4 deaths (case fatality rate of 5.7%) have
been reported since onset of the outbreak on 27 January 2017. Children
under 15 years of age are the most infected, accounting for 60%
of the overall caseload; while the gender distribution is proportionate,
with 51% of the cases being female. A total of 18 villages in 5 districts
[Enyelle, Betou, Dongou, Impfondo, and Owando] have been affected.
Seven out of 43 samples collected and analysed at the Institut National
de Recherche Biom?dicale (INRB), Kinshasa tested positive for
monkeypox virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.
Public health actions
? Health workers and community volunteers have been trained
to strengthen surveillance and management of monkeypox and
measles.
? Community mobilization through radio talk shows, screening of
films and interpersonal communication are being conducted.
? Case management services are being provided at B?tou integrated
health center, Moual? health center, CSI d?Enyell?, Impfondo
base hospital and Manfou?t?. Partners including UNHCR, WHO,
UNICEF and WFP are supporting case management.
? WHO conducted a rapid risk assessment on the 20 March 2017
to better orient the response
? The Ministry of Health with the support of a team from CDC, WHO
and UNHCR undertook a multidisciplinary investigation missions.
? Partners including UNHCR, UNICEF and WHO are providing
technical support to the Ministry of Health in implementing response
measures such as strengthening local coordination
mechanism, strengthening laboratory confirmation, and reinforcing social mobilization, infection prevention and control, case management
and active surveillance including contact tracing and follow-up.
? WHO has deployed on epidemiologist in Likouala who continues to support the investigations and local response measures.

Situation interpretation

The outbreak of monkeypox in Congo is insidiously continuing in the communities despite the low potential of the disease to propagate
through person-to-person transmission. This trend depicts high transmission potential due to prevalent underlying exposure risk factors in
the communities. The actual magnitude of the current outbreak is not clearly understood. The overall risk of the current monkeypox outbreak
in Likouala province is therefore considered high at national level given the weak surveillance system coupled with the limited public health
infrastructure. In addition, the risk of disease spreading to the neighbouring countries is also considered high in view of the high population
mobility and the presence of refugees from Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad. Furthermore, logistical
challenges and shortage of qualified human resources to provide adequate health services to the affected population remain a concern. The
finalized response plan and in-country mobilization of partners to support the plan are critical to rapidly control the outbreak. In the long run,
comprehensive strategies to strengthen the health systems need to be initiated. This will enhance the resilience of the health systems, in
addition to building a strong preparedness and response capacity, thus avoiding such scenario in the future.