DR Congo - Ebola outbreak confirmed May 2018 (May - July 25, 2018)

[Gert van der Hoek]

KINSHASA, May 8 (Reuters) - Local health officials in
Democratic Republic of Congo reported 21 patients showing signs
of hemorrhagic fever and 17 deaths in the affected area before
an Ebola outbreak was confirmed on Tuesday, the health ministry
said.

Medical teams dispatched to the zone took five samples from
suspected active cases and two tested positive for the Zaire
strain of the Ebola virus, the ministry said in a statement.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Equateur Province in DR Congo - wikipedia


New Ebola outbreak in the DRC: 21 registered cases, including 17 deaths

Posted on Tue, 08/05/2018 -

Twenty-one cases of fever with haemorrhagic signs reported since May 3, including 17 community deaths in Ikoko Impenge Health Area, Bikoro Health Zone, Equateur, reported Tuesday, May 8 the Ministry of Health, in a statement reached Radio Okapi.

According to this document, a ministry team supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Doctors without Borders (MSF) has visited Bikoro since Saturday, May 5. She found five active cases, including two hospitalized at Bikoro General Hospital and three in Ikoko Impenge Health Center.

The five samples from suspected cases were sent for analysis to the National Institute for Biological Research (INRB) in Kinshasa the following day. Two of these five cases were positive for Ebola.

The Ministry of Health, which recognizes that the DRC is facing a ninth epidemic of the Ebola virus, ensures that the country has well-trained human resources in this area.

"The Ministry of Health has made all the necessary arrangements to respond quickly and effectively to this new epidemic of Ebola in the DRC," the statement said.

Our teams have always been able to "quickly master the previous epidemics," reads this document.

In 2017, the DRC was still hit by the Ebola outbreak, officially killing four people. A virus discovered on Congolese soil in 1976, in an equatorial forest area bordering Congo-Brazzaville.

 

[Pathfinder]

New Ebola outbreak declared in Democratic Republic of the Congo

8 May 2018 News Release

Geneva/Brazzaville/Kinshasa

The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Bikoro in Equateur Province today (8 May). The outbreak declaration occurred after laboratory results confirmed two cases of EVD.

The Ministry of Health of Democratic of the Congo (DRC) informed WHO that two out of five samples collected from five patients tested positive for EVD at the Institut National de Recherche Biom?dicale (INRB) in Kinshasa. More specimens are being collected for testing.

WHO is working closely with the Government of the DRC to rapidly scale up its operations and mobilize health partners using the model of a successful response to a similar EVD outbreak in 2017.

“Our top priority is to get to Bikoro to work alongside the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and partners to reduce the loss of life and suffering related to this new Ebola virus disease outbreak,” said Dr Peter Salama, WHO Deputy Director-General, Emergency Preparedness and Response. “Working with partners and responding early and in a coordinated way will be vital to containing this deadly disease.”

The first multidisciplinary team comprised of experts from WHO, M?decins Sans Fronti?res and Provincial Division of Health travelled today to Bikoro to strengthen coordination and investigations.

Bikoro is situated in Equateur Province on the shores of Lake Tumba in the north-western part of the country near the Republic of the Congo. All cases were reported from iIkoko Iponge health facility located about 30 kilometres from Bikoro. Health facilities in Bikoro have very limited functionality, and rely on international organizations to provide supplies that frequently stock out.
“We know that addressing this outbreak will require a comprehensive and coordinated response. WHO will work closely with health authorities and partners to support the national response. We will gather more samples, conduct contact tracing, engage the communities with messages on prevention and control, and put in place methods for improving data collection and sharing,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the WHO Regional Director for Africa.

This is DRC’s ninth outbreak of EVD since the discovery of the virus in the country in 1976. In the past five weeks, there have been 21 suspected viral haemorrhagic fever in and around the iIkoko Iponge, including 17 deaths.

“WHO is closely working with other partners, including M?decins Sans Fronti?res, to ensure a strong, response to support the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to prevent and control the spreading of the disease from the epicentre of iIkoko Iponge Health Zone to save lives," said Dr Allarangar Yokouide, WHO Representative in the DRC.

Upon learning about the laboratory results today, WHO set up its Incident Management System to fully dedicate staff and resources across the organization to the response. WHO plans to deploy epidemiologists, logisticians, clinicians, infection prevention and control experts, risk communications experts and vaccination support teams in the coming days. WHO will also be determining supply needs and help fill gaps, such as for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). WHO has also alerted neighbouring countries.

WHO released US$ 1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support response activities for the next three months with the goal of stopping the spread of Ebola to surrounding provinces and countries.

Building on the 2017 response

Ebola is endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The last Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo occurred in 2017 in Likati Health Zone, Bas Uele Province, in the northern part of the country and was quickly contained thanks to joint efforts by the Government of DRC, WHO and many different partners.

An effective response to the 2017 EVD outbreak was achieved through the timely alert by local authorities of suspect cases, immediate testing of blood samples due to strengthened national laboratory capacity, the early announcement of the outbreak by the government, rapid response activities by local and national health authorities with the robust support of international partners, and speedy access to flexible funding.

Coordination support on the ground by WHO was critical and an Incident Management System was set up within 24 hours of the outbreak being announced. WHO deployed more than 50 experts to work closely with government and partners.

The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. The average EVD case fatality rate is around 50%. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.

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

 

[Ronan Kelly]

@WHOAFRO
Following Following @WHOAFRO
More
New #Ebola outbreak declared in Democratic Republic of the Congo
The #DRC MoH informed WHO that two out of five samples collected from five patients tested positive for #Ebola Virus Disease. More specimens are being collected for testing. http://bit.ly/2ruovd6

2:35 PM - 8 May 2018



@WHOAFRO
6h6 hours ago
More WHO African Region Retweeted WHO African Region
"We know that addressing this outbreak will require a comprehensive and coordinated response. WHO will work closely with health authorities and partners to support the national response." — Dr @MoetiTshidiWHO African Region added,

WHO African Region
Verified account

@WHOAFRO
New #Ebola outbreak declared in Democratic Republic of the Congo
The #DRC MoH informed WHO that two out of five samples collected from five patients tested positive…


WHO African Region
‏
Verified account

@WHOAFRO
5h5 hours ago
More
WHO is working closely with the Govt of the #DRC to rapidly scale up the #Ebola response operations. The first multidisciplinary team comprised of experts from WHO, @MSF & Provincial Division of Health travelled today to Bikoro to strengthen coordination & investigations.


WHO African Region
‏
Verified account

@WHOAFRO
5h5 hours ago
More
WHO released US$ 1 million from its Contingency Fund for Emergencies to support response activities for the next three months with the goal of stopping the spread of #Ebola to surrounding provinces and countries.
#DRC
https://twitter.com/WHOAFRO/status/993907164258414592

 

[sharon sanders]

Please also see:

Uganda - Arua?s suspected Ebola case from DRC tests negative

Cameroon - Three deaths in same family in Yaounde - negative for Ebola, Marburg and Lassa - meningitis confirmed

Democratic Republic of Congo - Ebola outbreak May 2017 - MOH, WHO - 8 cases (5 confirmed, 3 probable), 4 deaths reported - additional suspect cases under investigation

?pid?mie d'Ebola d?clar?e dans le nord-est de la RDC, 4 morts - 12/05/2017

 

[sharon sanders]

Ebola: a team of experts leaves Kinshasa for Bikoro this Wednesday

9/5/2018,


snip


Starting today, Wednesday, May 9, a team of experts from the central level will leave Kinshasa for Bikoro, with a set of appropriate equipment to oversee the investigations and the organization of the response in the field, reveals a statement from the ministry.
A local Ministry of Health team is already hard at work to organize case management, search and follow-up of contacts, says an on-site source in Bikoro.

more..

http://www.mediacongo.net/article-actualite-38169.html

 

[sharon sanders]

"We are not informed. We are unaware of this statement of the Ebola outbreak in our area. People live normally. There is no provision made to prevent the spread of the disease. This morning, the markets opened, fresh game is sold as if there was no danger, "said a resident of Bikoro. "Officially, no provision is made," confirmed a representative of civil society in the provincial capital Mbandaka, Fabien Mongunza.

http://www.lefigaro.fr/international...o-kinshasa.php

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

The DRC hit for the 9th time by the Ebola virus

NewsFinancs Newspar Writing - May 8, 2018 0 116
...
Indeed, on Thursday, May 3, 2018, the Provincial Health Division of Equateur reported at the central level of the Ministry of Health twenty-one (21) cases of fever with haemorrhagic signs and seventeen community deaths in the health area of Ikoko Impenge located in Bikoro Health Zone in Equateur Province, indicates the Minister of State, Minister of Labor, Employment and Social Welfare, Mr. Lambert Matuku Memas, acting on behalf of the Minister of Health on mission.

"A team from the central level of the Ministry of Health, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) went on site, Saturday, May 5, 2018. The team found five cases including two inpatients at Bikoro General Hospital and three at Ikoko Impenge Health Center, "said the same special communication, adding that five samples from suspected cases were sent for National Institute of Biological Research (INRB) Kinshasa, Sunday, May 6, 2018. Of the five samples analyzed, two were positive for Ebola virus serotype Zaire by RT-PVT. And since the notification of cases on May 3, no deaths have been reported either among hospitalized cases or among health personnel.
...

(JMNK)
http://groupelavenir.org/la-rdc-frappee-pour-la-9eme-fois-par-le-virus-ebola/

 

[tetano]

[h=1]Risk of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak spreading 'very low'[/h] KINSHASA, Congo (AP) ? The risk of Congo's latest Ebola outbreak spreading is "very low" because of the remote area, a Congolese disease expert said Wednesday as medical teams arrived on the scene.
Ebola has been confirmed in at least two people in the northwestern town of Bikoro. Those cases were discovered after officials last week were alerted to at least 17 deaths linked to a hemorrhagic fever in a nearby area in Equateur Province, according to Congo's health ministry and the World Health Organization. There are various hemorrhagic fevers including Ebola.
This is the ninth Ebola outbreak in Congo since 1976, when the deadly disease was first identified. There is no specific treatment for Ebola, which is spread through the bodily fluids of people exhibiting symptoms. Without preventive measures, the virus can spread quickly between people and is fatal in up to 90 percent of cases.
"The risks of propagation are very low because it is a remote area, it is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Mbandaka, the capital of the province of Equateur ... so it is unlikely that a patient can leave this area and go to Mbandaka or Kinshasa," the capital, said the director of the National Institute of Biological and Bacterial Research, Dr. Jean Jacques Muyembe.
"I think it is an epidemic that we will quickly master."
https://thebrunswicknews.com/ap/int...cle_8db92395-fa97-5a57-a163-7e34f5f5b59d.html

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

WHO officials fear latest Ebola outbreak in Congo could spread to big cities

By HELEN BRANSWELL @HelenBranswell

MAY 9, 2018

The new Ebola outbreak on the western edge of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has ignited serious concern at the World Health Organization, with signs pointing to an epidemic that may have been underway for weeks or months.

snip


While the outbreak is in a remote area where road travel is taxing and slow, one of the towns where cases may be occurring, Bikoro, is a port on a lake that connects to the Congo River. That opens up the disturbing specter of infected individuals traveling by boat to DRC?s densely populated capital, Kinshasa, or to Brazzaville, the capital of the neighboring Republic of the Congo.

?If it was only the roads, we know that the roads are very bad and that it?s difficult for people to travel. But if you reach Bikoro and you take a boat ? everything could happen,? Formenty said in an interview on Wednesday.
?For us it?s a worrying situation in a bad context in terms of logistics. And we need to go fast.?

Read more: STAT

 

[sharon sanders]

hat tip Pathfinder


Apparently Dr. Jean Jacques Muyembe who is on the ground in the RDC, and is a W.H.O. colleague ( link ), does not agree with the spirit of the above article:


"The risk of spread is very low because it is a remote area, it is about 200 km from Mbandaka, the capital of the province of Ecuador ... so it is unlikely that a patient can leave this area and to go to Mbandaka or Kinshasa ... I think it's an epidemic that we will quickly control , " said Dr. Jean Jacques Muyembe, director of the National Institute for Biological and Bacteriological Research.

https://beninwebtv.com/2018/05/congo...pager-experts/

 

[tetano]

[h=1]DRC reports four more Ebola cases[/h] Four more cases of Ebola have been detected in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo, doctors said Thursday, two days after DRC reported a fresh outbreak of the disease.
Of the four affected people, two are caregivers at the hospital in Bikoro where the Ebola outbreak has been concentrated, the hospital?s chief surgeon Serge Ngalebato told AFP.
The latest Ebola outbreak in the region northeast of Kinshasa near the border with the Republic of Congo has so far killed 17 people.

https://mg.co.za/article/2018-05-10-drc-reports-four-more-ebola-cases

 

[Pathfinder]

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[TD="class: mcnTextContent"]EBOLA BIKORO RIPOSTE[/TD]
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[TD="class: mcnTextContent"] [h=1]MIN SANTE - PRESS RELEASE - MAY 09, 2018[/h] [h=1][/h] [h=1]Communication of May 9, 2018 on the Ebola Outbreak in the Bikoro Health Zone[/h] Kinshasa, May 09, 2018 - On Wednesday, May 9, 2018, a team of twelve experts from the Ministry of Health left Kinshasa and arrived in Mbandaka, capital of Equateur Province, to strengthen Ebola response interventions. .

This team is composed of epidemiologists, logisticians, communication experts, clinicians, hygienists, data managers and psychosocial counselors. It will be completed by a group of laboratory technicians who will transport mobile laboratories of the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB).

The main mission of this team in advance is to launch the first investigations and organize the Ebola response in the field. It will be more specifically question:

• To identify new contacts,
• To define the epicenter and the index case of the current epidemic,
• To describe the chronology of the epidemic,
• To identify health areas, health areas and affected villages,
• To make the state of the needs in material and human resources.

Other teams of researchers will also be tasked with identifying the factors that would have contributed to the outbreak and spread of the epidemic.

In addition, this advance team brought the first batches of equipment that mainly contain rapid diagnostic tests for the Ebola virus and laser thermometers. Essential health protection kits and case management drugs were already pre-positioned in warehouses in Mbandaka, 150 km from the Bikoro Health Zone, which allowed provincial health team to begin initial response and care interventions.

Upon their arrival in Mbandaka, the experts of the Ministry of Health held the first provincial coordination meetings for the fight against the disease, chaired by the Governor of the Province of Ecuador.

As a reminder, on Sunday, May 6, 2018, five samples taken from suspected cases hospitalized at the Bikoro General Hospital and the Ikoko Impenge Health Center were sent for analysis to the INRB Kinshasa. Of the five samples analyzed on Monday, May 7, 2018, two tested positive for EVD.

This is the ninth epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The novelty with regard to previous epidemics is that the technical coordination of the national Ebola response committee in Kinshasa is now ensured by the new Directorate General for the Fight Against Disease (DGLM).

The Minister of Health, Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, has set up the DGLM in 2017 with the aim of strengthening the surveillance and the epidemiological response in all the health and humanitarian emergency situations in the Democratic Republic of Congo within the framework of the Agenda for Global Health Security. This new leadership is part of the Ministry of Health's reform of the professional cadre, which was established almost 10 years ago.

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[TD="class: mcnTextContent"]Sign up for the Ministry of Health's mailing list to follow Ministry news and learn about the state of the response to the Ebola epidemic in the DRC.[/TD]
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"Together let's make life triumph" ​

Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga​

Health Minister​

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https://mailchi.mp/a4bc6f4717a0/ebola_bikoro_09052018

 

[Pathfinder]

MAY 10, 2018 / 4:53 AM / UPDATED 29 MINUTES AGO

UPDATE 3-First reported deaths in Congo Ebola outbreak came in Jan -WHO

By Patient Ligodi

KINSHASA, May 10 (Reuters) - ...
...
An interval of as long as five months since the first infection would give the virus time potentially to have infected many people before action was taken to contain it.

The epidemic so far appears to be centred around the village of Ikoko Impenge, near the town of Bikoro. Serge Ngaleto, the director of Bikoro?s main hospital said it had received four new suspected cases on Thursday, including two nurses who had treated others showing symptoms.
...
?According to our early information, the cases have been reported since December and the first deaths were reported in January, but the link between the deaths and the epidemic has not yet been established,? WHO Congo spokesman Eugene Kabambi told Reuters.

Ngaleto said of all cases so far reported, seven were currently in the hospital in Bikoro. All of those could be traced back to Ikoko Impenge, about 60 km (37 miles) away from Bikoro, except for one from the next door hamlet of Pangi.
...
Congo?s long experience of Ebola and its vast, remote geography mean outbreaks are often localised and relatively easy to isolate and snuff out.

But Ikoko Impenge and Bikoro lie not far from the banks of the Congo River, an essential waterway for transport and commerce, downstream of which lie both Kinshasa and Brazzaville, capital of neighbouring Congo Republic.

Between them, the two cities have a population of more than 12 million. (Additional reporting by Fiston Mahamba and Amedee Mwarabu; Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Catherine Evans)

https://www.reuters.com/article/hea...-ebola-outbreak-came-in-jan-who-idUSL8N1SH2J4

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

Ebola in DRC: the list of suspicious cases is growing, but only two have been confirmed

May 10, 2018 at 4:45 pm
By Olivier Liffran

A new outbreak of Ebola affects the territory of Bikoro, northwest of the capital Kinshasa, where two cases have been confirmed by the authorities. About twenty others remain suspect.

"For the moment, we have received five samples. And two proved to be positive for the Ebola virus", says to Jeune Afrique a source at the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa. Same story on the side of the Congolese Ministry of Health, in a crisis meeting on Thursday, which ensures "preparing a descent tomorrow on the ground to collect and examine new samples."

An imperative process to verify that the sick person is actually infected with Ebola. "Because there are many other pathologies likely to have comparable symptoms," says a source at the NGO M?decins sans Fronti?res - who sent a mission to Bikoro.
...
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/558947/...llonge-mais-deux-seulement-ont-ete-confirmes/

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Ebola virus disease ? Democratic Republic of the Congo

Disease outbreak news

10 May 2018

On 8 May 2018, WHO was notified by the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo of two confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease occurring in Bikoro health zone, Equateur province.

From 4 April through 9 May 2018, a total of 32 Ebola virus disease cases (among which two are confirmed, 18 probable and 12 suspected cases) were reported from Bikoro health zone, Equateur province, including 18 deaths. Three of the 32 cases were among healthcare workers. The patients presented with fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, myalgia and arthralgia, and some also showed haemorrhagic signs and symptoms. All cases were reported from the catchment area of the Ikoko-Impenge health facility, located 30 km from the central health zone office of Bikoro, which is 280 km by road from Mbandaka, the capital of Equateur province. Of the 21 initially reported cases on 8 May 2018, 17 had epidemiological links (potential contacts with another suspect case).

Five samples were collected from hospitalized patients, three from Ikoko-Impenge and two from Bikoro. These were sent to Institute National de Recherche Biom?dicale in Kinshasa on 7 May 2018, where the two samples from Ikoko-Impenge were found positive by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for Ebola virus on the same day.

Over the last four decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo has experienced eight Ebola outbreaks. The most recent epidemic took place in May 2017 in the health zone of Likati, province of Bas-Uele. The ongoing epidemic is located in the Bikoro health zone, located in Equateur province, in western Democratic Republic of the Congo and on the border with the Republic of Congo. This is the fourth time that an Ebola outbreak has been reported in the former province of Equateur, following those of 1976, 1977 and 2014. However, this is the first time that the Bikoro health zone is facing an Ebola outbreak.

The province of Equateur has an estimated population of 2.5 million people with 284 registered health facilities. Bikoro health zone has a population of around 163 000 people with three hospitals and 19 health centres covering the population, most with limited functionality. Medical supplies are provided by international bodies, but stock outs are frequent.

Public health response

• • The Ministry of Health in the Democratic Republic of the Congo deployed Rapid Response Teams to investigate cases and deaths reported in Bikoro health zone in the Equateur province.
  • One million US dollars from the WHO contingency fund for emergencies have been mobilized.
  • WHO has provided technical and operations support to the Ministry of Health and Partners in the activation of multi-partner multi-agency Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate the response at all levels.
  • M?decins Sans Fronti?res is setting up a treatment centre for the management of cases in Bikoro health zone.
  • WHO has shared risk communication materials in French and Lingala with the WHO country offices.
  • Active surveillance activities among the community, the Ikoko-Impenge health centre team and Bikoro General Reference Hospital are being undertaken.
  • Immediate logistical capabilities and needs are being established.
  • Wellcome Trust is providing two million pounds sterling for the critical research needed to support the operational response which is now underway in the country.

WHO risk assessment

To date, the outbreak is reported in a remote area and appears to be geographically limited. However, in view of the available data, the overall risk is considered high at the national level due to the nature of the disease and the lack of epidemiological and demographic information to estimate the magnitude of the epidemic.
The overall risk at the regional level is considered moderate because of the proximity to the Congo river, which links with both the capitals of the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.
Information is currently limited and investigations are ongoing to assess the full extent of the outbreak. Based on the information currently available and the rapid response measures implemented by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO and partners, the event does not meet the criteria of a public heath event of international concern as defined in the IHR (2005)1, and does not warrant the convening of an Emergency Committee under the IHR (2005).

WHO advice

WHO advises against any restriction of travel and trade to Democratic Republic of the Congo based on the currently available information. WHO continues to monitor travel and trade measures in relation to this event, and currently there are no restrictions of the international traffic in place.

For more information on Ebola virus disease, please see the link below:

• Ebola Virus Disease fact sheet

 

[Pathfinder]

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[TD="class: mcnTextContent"]EBOLA BIKORO RIPOSTE[/TD]
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[TD="class: mcnTextContent"]MIN SANTE - PRESS RELEASE - MAY 10, 2018

Statement by the Minister of Health during the press briefing on the Ebola epidemic in Bikoro this Thursday, May 10, 2018

Dear compatriots,

Since Tuesday, May 8, 2018, the Democratic Republic of Congo faces a new epidemic of the Ebola virus disease which constitutes a public health emergency of international scope.

To date, 11 cases of haemorrhagic fever and one suspicious death have been recorded . Currently, seven people, including the two confirmed Ebola cases in the laboratory, are currently hospitalized at the Bikoro Health Zone General Hospital. And the Itipo Health Center, located in the nearby health zone of Iboko, reported 4 new cases and one death in the night of Wednesday, May 9, 2018.

One of the peculiarities of the current epidemic is the fact that three health professionals have been affected. As health professionals are the main actors in the government's response to Ebola, this situation is worrying and requires a response that is all the more immediate and energetic.

That is why the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo deployed a first team of 12 experts who arrived in Mbandaka this Wednesday, May 9 to launch the first investigations and organize the response in the field. They forwarded rapid diagnostic tests for the Ebola virus, as well as the first protection and treatment kits.

In addition, this advance team has the difficult task of collecting and examining new samples on site thanks to the mobile laboratories of the National Institute for Biomedical Research (INRB).

It is important to remember that there are several types of haemorrhagic fever besides Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the tests of the first samples have revealed, not all suspected cases are necessarily cases of Ebola. Only the analysis of the samples taken will make it possible to follow with precision the evolution of the current epidemic.

Dear compatriots,

This is the ninth epidemic that our country is facing. Our health professionals have, in the past, demonstrated their expertise and expertise in controlling past episodes, including in other African countries.

To ensure the protection of the population, the Head of State asked the Ministry of Health to use all the diagnostic and therapeutic arsenal at its disposal, including vaccination.

Communication and awareness kits will be sent out tomorrow to begin training community relays and the dissemination of prevention messages.

The crisis communication unit of the Ministry of Health will keep you regularly informed of the evolution of the response.

Thank you.

Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga
Minister of Health[/TD]
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https://us13.campaign-archive.com/?u...&id=faf7537caa

 

[tetano]

[h=1]Why Does Ebola Keep Showing Up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?[/h] When news broke this week that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing yet another Ebola outbreak, many public health experts were not surprised. The vast central African country has dealt with more outbreaks of this often-fatal hemorrhagic disease than any other nation. Yet exactly why the DRC is hit so often remains an unanswered question.
The DRC Ministry of Health announced the latest outbreak this week after laboratory testing confirmed two cases had occurred in the northwestern part of the country, near the its border with the similarly named Republic of the Congo. This is DRC?s ninth Ebola outbreak since scientists first identified the disease.

...


https://www.scientificamerican.com/...g-up-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo/

 

[tetano]

[h=2]WHO prepares for worst case Ebola scenario, hopes to deploy vaccine[/h] The WHO is preparing for the worst case scenario in an Ebola outbreak in a remote area of Congo, including spread to a major town.
WHO Deputy Director-General of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Peter Salama, on Friday told a regular UN briefing in Geneva that he hoped the Democratic Republic of Congo would give the green light within days for the deployment of an experimental vaccine, but warned that the drug was complicated to use and was not a magic bullet.
He said the WHO had alerted the nine neighbouring countries but currently regarded the risk of regional spread as ?moderate?.
The vaccine is called ?rVSV-ZEBOV?.

..


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news...e-ebola-scenario-hopes-to-deploy-vaccine.html

 

[sharon sanders]

[h=1]DRC reports four more Ebola cases[/h] Four more cases of Ebola have been detected in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo, doctors said Thursday, two days after DRC reported a fresh outbreak of the disease.
Of the four affected people, two are caregivers at the hospital in Bikoro where the Ebola outbreak has been concentrated, the hospital’s chief surgeon Serge Ngalebato told AFP.
The latest Ebola outbreak in the region northeast of Kinshasa near the border with the Republic of Congo has so far killed 17 people.

https://mg.co.za/article/2018-05-10-drc-reports-four-more-ebola-cases

Reportedly one of the sick health care workers has died:

"The nurse died overnight at a hospital in nearby Ikoko Impenge, where four new suspected cases of Ebola have been reported, Health Minister Oly Ilunga said at a news conference. Seven people with a hemorrhagic fever, including two confirmed cases of Ebola, lay in hospital late Thursday, he added."

http://www.dw.com/en/nurse-is-first-to-die-in-congos-latest-ebola-outbreak/a-43735309