2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

[Laidback Al]

As of August 25, 2014, at least two cases of Ebola have been identified from ?quateur Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the Ministry of Health from among 8 tested individuals. (link)

According to the Minister of Health Felix Kabangue Numbi, the Ebola strains identified include Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV) and a Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV)/Sudan ebolavirus cross strain. According to Kabangue Numbi the Zaire and Sudan strains are very similar.

Although there is uncertainty over the strain or strains infecting individuals in this outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it does not appear to be the same strain that has recently infected more than 2500 people in Nigeria and Western Africa.

According to Kabangue Numbi, as many as 13 people have died from this Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The index case was apparently a pregnant woman who died on August 11. The husband of this woman has tested positive and a doctor, nurse, and hygienist who treat this pregnant woman as well as two additional health care workers have died. Other suspected cases in this outbreak include relatives or villagers who attended the woman?s funeral. (link)

Contact tracing has indicated that these cases have been reported from at least three villages, Djera, Lokolia, and Watsikengo, from the Boende territory or administrative zone which is part of the Tshuapa district or subregion of the ?quateur Province. (see map below) Currently 11 contacts of these confirmed and suspected cases are in isolation.

Confounding the public health situation in the Boende territory is that up to 75 deaths have been recently reported from the region. According to the World Health Organization most of these individuals have died from ?febrile gastroenteritis with haemorrhaging.? (see this FluTrackers thread) Whether any of these deaths beyond the 13 referenced by Kabangue Numbi are reclassified as Ebola deaths remains to be seen.

 

[JJackson]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Map)

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Map)

Great post Al, so much clearer than anything else I have seen in the MSM.

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Map)

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Map)

A report has provided additional information and clarification about the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Of the eight samples submitted for testing four have now been confirmed positive.

Among the 24 suspected cases, 13 have died and 11 are isolation. The gender breakdown is 16 women and 8 men. A breakdown of deaths by gender has not been reported. The report does not indicate which individuals tested positive. the index case is now reported to be from Ikanamongo.

Eighty contacts of these confirmed and suspected cases are being monitored.

And, 565 other cases with gastroenteritis are currently being investigated as a separate outbreak.

link: http://www.rdc-humanitaire.net/inde...bola-dans-l-equateur-rdc-no-2-au-25-aout-2014

hat tip Pathfinder

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Map)

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Map)

Reuters Africa is reporting another suspected Ebola death in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the city of Mbandaka, the capital of ?quateur Province. Wikipedia reports that Mbandaka has a population of more than 340,000 people.

. . . A 65-year-old woman with Ebola-like symptoms died in the Equateur's capital Mbandaka, health workers said on Tuesday, raising concerns of a possible spread to an urban centre.
Health Minister Kabange Numbi confirmed the death but said the cause was not yet known. . .

http://af.reuters.com/article/nigeriaNews/idAFL5N0QW4V220140827?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Map)

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Map)

Reuters Africa is reporting another suspected Ebola death in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the city of Mbandaka, the capital of ?quateur Province. Wikipedia reports that Mbandaka has a population of more than 340,000 people.

http://af.reuters.com/article/nigeriaNews/idAFL5N0QW4V220140827?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

Ebola in this case was ruled out according to Minister of Health: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=543877&postcount=26

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

An update from the Minister of Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) indicates that seven previously suspected Ebola cases have been confirmed positive. As of August 28, the Ebola count in DRC is 13 confirmed Ebola cases with an additional 13 probable and 16 suspected cases as reported by the Minister of Health. Previously, 13 deaths were attributed to Ebola. It is not clear if all of the 13 deaths are confirmed Ebola cases. Eleven individuals may still be in isolation.

link: http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showpost.php?p=544287&postcount=35

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Today (Sept 2, 2014), the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the total confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo is 53 cases with 31 deaths. This outbreak is currently restricted to the Boende territory. (WHO link)

This is an increase of 11 cases since the Health Minister's report through August 28, 2014 (post #6 above). Significantly, WHO reports 31 deaths, an increase of 18 deaths over the 13 death reported five days ago on August 28.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Source: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=239732


DR Congo's Ebola death toll rises to 32: minister
Sep 06,2014

KINSHASA, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Death toll from an Ebola outbreak has increased to 32 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) as one more person has died of the deadly virus, Health Minister Felix Kabange said Saturday...

 

[JJackson]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The initial reports from RDC said that both Sudan EBOV and Zaire EBOV were found indicating two introductions from the host(s). It was never made clear if this was both strains in one patient (a co-infection in the bushmeat source) or two separate patients.

The WHO report, based on a later WHO reference lab analysis, identifies only ZEBOV. Does anyone know if the Sudan report was lab error or was accurate but failed to seed further cases?

 

[Laidback Al]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Congo-Kinshasa: MSF Opens Ebola Treatment Centres in Lakolia and Boende

M?decins Sans Fronti?res (MSF) has opened two treatment centers in response to the Ebola epidemic raging in Boende health zone, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The first is a 40-bed facility in Lokolia, the epicenter of the epidemic, and the second is a 10-bed facility in Boende.
Logistical constraints and community education present the main challenges in the field. MSF now has nearly 40 staff members on site, divided between Boende and Lokolia, and has already sent 41 tons of supplies and equipment. . . . .

MSF has opened a treatment center in Lokolia, where six patients are hospitalized; some are awaiting laboratory confirmation of a diagnosis. Two patients are receiving treatment at the Boende facility. The education activities focus primarily on helping the community understand the importance of treatment. . . .

http://allafrica.com/stories/201409101509.html?viewall=1

 

[MHSC]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

already sent 41 tons of supplies and equipment. . . . .

MSF sent 41 TONS of supplies for 8 patients and 42 empty beds, when other areas that are expecting thousands of cases relatively soon are reported to have little or no supplies. Even if you use the 53 patients reported in the Sept 2nd article, it doesn't make sense. Is it a misprint/misquote or are they expecting their caseload to explode? Please tell me I'm missing something.

 

[Donners]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

The initial reports from RDC said that both Sudan EBOV and Zaire EBOV were found indicating two introductions from the host(s). It was never made clear if this was both strains in one patient (a co-infection in the bushmeat source) or two separate patients.

The WHO report, based on a later WHO reference lab analysis, identifies only ZEBOV. Does anyone know if the Sudan report was lab error or was accurate but failed to seed further cases?

It was suggested early on that the result was unreliable.

It is probably a single strain. In fact, there is not much difference between the Zaire strain and the Sudan strain. The laboratory in Kinshasa has not the same security as the laboratory in Franceville, so we could not do the sequencing. It will be done at Franceville and then we can determine the strain.

http://www.rfi.fr/emission/20140825...ra»/#./?&_suid=140898438658905370538498298567

 

[JJackson]

Re: 2014 Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo

already sent 41 tons of supplies and equipment. . . . .

MSF sent 41 TONS of supplies for 8 patients and 42 empty beds, when other areas that are expecting thousands of cases relatively soon are reported to have little or no supplies. Even if you use the 53 patients reported in the Sept 2nd article, it doesn't make sense. Is it a misprint/misquote or are they expecting their caseload to explode? Please tell me I'm missing something.

If it is correct I know it seems bizarre but I think it does have an, albeit counter-intuitive, logic.
I suspect the rational is as follows.
The situation in the hot spots in the center of the outbreak is uncontrolled and the aid they have available would be immediately filled and still leave untold numbers of spreaders in the community. A better use would be to contain and extinguish this manageable outbreak, while it is manageable, and then relocate the equipment and personnel.

I think a change of strategy is needed and this may be a step along that path. Although its consequences may be horrific for those in the epicenter the eventual control of this outbreak are probably best served by controlling geographical spread by concentrating resources in the least effected areas and trying to shrink the effected area by pushing inwards from the edges in a series of 'clear and hold' operations.

Edit:
WHO GAR have just posted a Congo update :tiphat: Sharon
http://who.int/csr/don/2014_09_10_ebola/en/