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

[Treyfish]

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.
:tiphat:https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-...-three-new-ebola-cases-idUSKCN2AT2CV?rpc=401&

 

[Pathfinder]

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

 

[Pathfinder]

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/democr...que-du-congo-note-d-informations-r-surgence-3

 

[Pathfinder]

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

 

[Pathfinder]

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/

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

North Kivu / Ebola: A treatment center vandalized by young people in Lubero

The Ebola Treatment Center (CTE) of Masoya, in Lubero territory, near Butembo in North Kivu, was vandalized by young people angry at the death of one of their own this Thursday, March 11, 2021.

The information was reported to the press by the provincial minister of health in North Kivu, Doctor Nzanzu Salita Eug?ne, who is staying in the town of Butembo to closely monitor the epidemiological situation.

?You heard that CTE / Masoya was attacked, but we are told that it was instead vandalized. By the way, these are young people from a village called Ngere, in the neighboring health area of ??Masoya. One of theirs died in isolation at the Masoya referral health center. They came to collect the body. And in this anger, they broke the chairs, the stools. And the population of Masoya, having understood the response to the Ebola virus disease, came to defend the CTE so that there was not much damage, ? he explained to the microphone of 7SUR7.CD.

Since the resurgence of Ebola virus disease in North Kivu on February 7, 2021, the cumulative number of cases is 12. These are 11 confirmed cases and one probable case. There were 3 cured, 6 deaths (or 50%) and 3 active patients.

During the tenth Ebola epidemic between 2018 and 2020, several armed attacks were recorded against treatment centers and healthcare workers in North Kivu. Attacks that handicapped the evolution of the response against the epidemic which had finally been defeated in June 2020.

Jo?l Kaseso, in Butembo

https://www.7sur7.cd/index.php/2021...de-traitement-vandalise-par-des-jeunes-lubero

 

[Treyfish]

So they came to get the body, are they all contacts now? Did they take it or not? 6 dead and probably more in Ituri. It was 4 a few days ago, is there mention of number 5?

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

DRC-Ebola: a treatment center vandalized by relatives of a patient who died in isolation in Masoya, near Butembo

The Ebola Treatment Center (CTE) in Masoya, where the current Ebola epidemic started, was vandalized on the morning of Thursday, March 11. According to health authorities, angry young people have taught themselves to chairs and other hand washing devices, indignant at the death of their loved one, a 25-year-old who died in isolation at the CTE.

The demonstrators were quickly calmed down before they reached the high-risk perimeter, told ACTUALITE.CD, Doctor Sangala de Ngulo, treatment doctor at the Masoya Referral Health Center.

?This is a patient we received on March 8. He had fever, anemia, abdominal pain. We drove him to CTE. The same day we proceeded to the sample in relation to the suspicion of EVD. The result was negative. 48 hours later, the second sample was taken, which was also negative. So we wanted to unload it. Unfortunately, the patient died around 4 a.m. So we put the body in the morgue while waiting for the family to arrive for a dignified and secure burial. So his relatives, who came from the village, did not find a worthy interlocutor. This is how they started to break the chairs, the sinks (hand washing devices), ?Dr Sangala from Ngulo told ACTUALITE.CD.

A team of health workers went to Ngere, the village of origin of the perpetrators of acts of vandalism to raise the awareness of relatives of the deceased.

?They haven't reached the risky part. But they took their bodies for burial. A team was dispatched to Ngere, 7 km from Masoya. We raised awareness among the village chief and the young people. They understood what we are doing, ?he adds.

This information was confirmed to the Butembo press by the provincial minister of health. Doctor Nzanzu Syalita calls on residents of areas affected by Ebola to be cautious to avoid plunging the region into a health crisis. As of Thursday, 11 positive cases have already been recorded, including four deaths and two cured. But since March 1, Butembo and Lubero have not recorded any new cases of Ebola. The provincial minister of health congratulates the inhabitants and asks for their commitment to the eradication of this disease.

Claude sengenya

https://actualite.cd/2021/03/11/rdc...ndalise-par-des-proches-dun-patient-decede-en

 

[sharon sanders]

bump this

 

[Pathfinder]

WHO African Region
@WHOAFRO
?4h

Ebola outbreak Situation Report (11/03/21)

12 cases
5 deaths
394 contacts, 87% monitored
1329 people vaccinated

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

DRC-Ebola: another cured Ebola patient released from the CTE in Butembo

Another cured Ebola patient left the Ebola Treatment Center (CTE) in the city of Butembo (North Kivu) on Monday March 15. The cured is a woman in her twenties, daughter of the second Ebola patient who died last February in Masoya, the village from which this twelfth Ebola epidemic started.

Having presented the first symptoms, Kavugho Kalala, as it is her, had been admitted to treatment at the Masoya Reference Health Center, before her transfer to the CTE-Katwa (Butembo), for a adequate care.

When she left the CTE, this Ebola cure thanked the nursing staff for the care during around 21 days spent at the CTE.

?After my mother died, her result came out positive for Ebola. She therefore died of Ebola. Unfortunately, we did not know. We had taken her clothes and mixed them with ours. I started having the first signs, including fever and diarrhea. I was first driven to Masoya (health center, editor's note), before I was transferred here to the CTE. My care was adequate. They guaranteed me care and food. Which allows me to get by today. Now I will go back to Masoya, ?Kavugho Kalala, a mother of three, whose youngest, an infant, tested negative for Ebola, told ACTUALITE.CD.

Ms. Kalala's case brings the number of patients cured of Ebola to four, for this twelfth epidemic declared at the beginning of last February. Three, including Kalala, graduated from Katwa CTE, while the fourth, Kalala's father, graduated from Masoya CTE.

Doctor Lina Kashibura, employee of International medical corps (IMC), organization which manages the CTE-Katwa, reassures that patients benefit from specific medical care.

?Here we take care of two types of patients: suspected cases and confirmed cases. Suspected cases benefit from symptomatic treatment, that is, only the symptoms they present are treated. For the confirmed, they benefit from specific medical care based on molecules including Regeneron and mAb114 or Ebanga, developed by Professor Muyembe. These are two molecules approved among the four that we tested during the tenth Ebola epidemic. At the end of the study, they were deemed to be effective, and this is what we use to treat our patients ?, explains to ACTUALITE.CD, Doctor Lina Kashibura.

His colleague, Doctor Ruphin Matafali, responsible for medical care at the International Medical Corps (IMC) calls on residents to quickly go to the CTE to maximize their chance of recovery.

?This success depends on the stage at which the patient presents to the hospital. We call on the community to mobilize. Now that the disease is there, patients must quickly come to the CTE for adequate management. Now we have specialists, well-trained staff to treat Ebola patients. If you come late, you have complications, and in the complication phase, it is difficult to recover many patients, ?Dr Ruphin Matafali told ACTUALITE.CD.

So far, 11 cases have been reported for this twelfth outbreak, including four recovered and at least four deaths. Two patients are currently being cared for at CTE-Katwa.

Claude sengenya

https://actualite.cd/2021/03/15/rdc-ebola-un-autre-patient-gueri-debola-sorti-du-cte-butembo

 

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 11: 8 - 14 March 2021
Data as reported by: 17:00; 14 March 2021
...

Ebola virus disease Democratic Republic of the Congo

11 Cases
5 Deaths
45.5% CFR

EVENT DESCRIPTION

The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu continues.
However, there has been no new confirmed cases for the past 13
consecutive days. The first result of the contact that became a
suspect at day 16 of follow-up the Biena health zone is negative.
He is isolated while awaiting the second sample. In the past 21
days, four new cases have been confirmed in Biena Health Zone
(Biambwe (1), Masoya (1); and Butembo Health Zone (Vutsundo
(3), with no new deaths.

As of 14 March 2021, there is a cumulative total of 12 cases
(11 confirmed and one probable) and 5 deaths (case fatality ratio
45.5%). Two health workers have been infected, 16.6% of all
cases. Two confirmed EVD cases are still undergoing treatment
at the Katwa Treatment Centre, while 34 suspect cases are
being closely monitored in isolation health facilities. Four cases
have recovered from EVD and been discharged from the Ebola
Treatment Centre since the start of the epidemic.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, the total number of contacts
is 345 and of these, 286 (83.0%) contacts were followed-up.
Of the 345 contacts, 120 (34.8%) and 225 (65.2%) are at their
second and third weeks of follow-up respectively. The highest
proportion (59.5%) of contacts that have never been seen were
listed around the probable case in Biambwe Health Area in Biena
Health Zone.

A total of 416 alerts have been raised as of 14 March 2021. Of
these, 411 alerts were investigated (96.0%), and 95 alerts were
verified as true including 72 alive alerts and 23 deaths. Since
the start of the epidemic, 1 590 laboratory samples have been
analyzed, of which (0.7%) 11, have tested positive for EVD.
As of 14 March 2021, a total of 1 515 people have been
vaccinated; including 135 contacts, 450 contacts of contacts and
930 probable contacts. Of the 1 515 vaccinated persons, (57.2%)
866 are in Biena, (19.1%) 290 in Butembo and (3.4%) 51 in
Musienene. Ring vaccination in Butembo health zone has been
suspended following security threats.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

WHO and UNICEF continue to hold weekly meetings to
improve collaboration to support response interventions.
A monitoring and evaluation plan, including key performance
indicators, is being developed for facilitate in the process of
being finalized.

Psychological support was given to two confirmed cases (1
male and 1 female) and three male suspect cases.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) activities continue,
with three health facilities supplied with IPC materials; and
37 health facilities in the six health zones supported and
assessed; 27 IPC kits were distributed in health zones in
Biena and Musienene; and 128 health workers were briefed
in Katwa, Musienene, Biena and Butembo.

IPC assessment was conducted in 10 health facilities in the
health zones of Biena (4) and Musienene (6).

A total of 31 143 travellers were registered at the 13 points
of entry, among which (97.6%) 30 388 screenings were
conducted.

Mass sensitization are ongoing in churches in the health
zones of Katwa, Butembo, Biena and Musienene and young
people from the Catholic church of Biambwe.

Dialogue with seven family members of confirmed cases on
the importance of completing of the recommended days for
contact tracing in Vutsundo is also underway.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The ongoing EVD outbreak remains a serious concern, with
challenges around the response, including low number of alerts
in other affected and at-risk health zones, refusal of contacts
seen to be vaccinated and other contacts remaining unseen.
The authorities need to strengthen EVD awareness in the
various health zones to support community activities including
vaccination, alert notification and contact follow-up; and mobilize
resources to support the different pillars of the response.

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/340188/OEW11-0814032021.pdf

 

[Pathfinder]

WHO African Region
@WHOAFRO

#Ebola outbreak Situation Report (17/03/21)

12 cases
6 deaths
279 contacts, 86% monitored
1,566 people vaccinated

 

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google


Ebola in the DRC: the countdown to the end of the epidemic has begun


After a worrying epidemic outbreak in early February, the DRC officially started the countdown to the end of the 12th Ebola outbreak.

By Alicia MihamiCreated on 24.03.21, modified on 24.03.21

Soon the end of the Ebola epidemic? The countdown has started in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, following a second negative test administered to the last patient. "With the second negative test, carried out on March 21 on the last Ebola patient treated, the 42-day countdown began on March 22, 2021" , announced the WHO office in the DRC.

This 42-day period corresponds to twice the maximum average incubation period of the virus. Since the resurgence of the epidemic on February 7 in the province of North Kivu, in eastern DRC, a total of 12 cases have been recorded, with six deaths and more than 1,600 people vaccinated, with the vaccine manufactured by the American laboratory Merck Sharpe and Dohme, according to the latest WHO report.
...
https://allodocteurs.africa/actuali...a-rebours-vers-la-fin-de-l-epidemie-est-lance

 

[Pathfinder]

WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

Week 15: 5-11 April 2021
Data as reported by: 17:00; 11 April 2021
...
Ebola virus disease Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cases 12
Deaths 6
CFR 50.0%

EVENT DESCRIPTION

As of 10 April 2021 there have been no new confirmed cases of
Ebola virus disease (EVD) in North Kivu for 40 consecutive days.
Since the start of the outbreak there have been 11 confirmed
cases, with one probable case and six deaths (case fatality ratio
50.0%). Two health workers have been infected, accounting for
16.6% of cases.

There are still 11 contacts who have not yet reached 42 days
of follow-up who have not been seen; the search for them
continues. Thirteen out of 17 (76.4%) of health areas in the
northern part of North Kivu have reported 512 alerts, all of which
were investigated. Of these, 69 were validated as suspected cases
and 49 (71.0%) samples were sent. Sampling was refused by
suspected patients in Biena Health Zone, and Lubero Health Zone
lacked sampling kits.

There are no confirmed patients admitted in the Ebola treatment
centres, and 29 suspected patients are being followed in isolation
in the health facilities.

PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

Daily coordination meetings continue, chaired by the
coordinator of the pool of supervisors based in Butembo,
with participation of partners.

As of 10 April 2021, a total of 1 898 people have been
vaccinated; 1 169 in Biena, 360 in Katwa, 297 in Butembo
and 72 in Musienene. Front line providers make up 542 of
those vaccinated. There have been no additional vaccinations
in the past week.

Since the start of the outbreak, 3 260 samples have been
received and analysed for EVD.

On 10 April 2021, a total of 10 death alerts were received
and all were sampled, and five (50.0%) safe and dignified
burials were carried out. Five safe and dignified burials were
not carried out because the bodies are still in the mortuary.
Infection prevention and control (IPC) activities continue,
with assessment of 15 health facilities in Katwa, Oicha
and Vuhovi health zones; along with support for 37 health
facilities in eight health zones in Biena, Beni, Butembo,
Katwa, Manguredjip, Oicha, Musienene and Vuhovi.

Risk communication and community engagement activities
continue and 782 out of 901 community action groups
reported in the health zones of Biena, Butembo, Kalunguta,
Katwa and Musienene; 27 118 households have been visited
and 314 alerts raised; education talks have been held for 159
people, along with capacity building of 93 community action
groups members in three health zones.

A total of 9 127 travellers were registered at 12 out of 22
operational Points of Entry/Points of Control, of which 8 474
(92.8%) were screened, 8 462 washed their hands and 8 474
received education around EVD; five alerts were raised and
invalidated.

SITUATION INTERPRETATION

The current EVD outbreak continues to remain inactive, with no
new cases reported for 40 days. However, challenges remain
around contacts who are lost to follow-up, poor feedback from
health zones, inadequate financial resources for all response
pillars, lack of capacity for isolation at health facilities and
problems with integrating patients who have recovered back into
their communities. Additionally, security issues have prevented
response activities by some partners. All these pillars require
strengthening and funding needs urgently to be provided to
continue robust response measures to prevent resurgence of the
outbreak.

...
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/340773/OEW15-0511042021.pdf

 

[Pathfinder]

Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo declared over

03 May 2021

Brazzaville/Kinshasa ? Today marks the end of the 12th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, just three months after the first case was reported in North Kivu. The Ebola outbreak that re-emerged in February came nine months after another outbreak in the same province was declared over.

The World Health Organization (WHO) congratulates the Democratic Republic of the Congo?s health authorities and the heath workers on the ground for their swift response which built on the country?s previous experience in tackling Ebola outbreaks. This outbreak is the country?s fourth in less than three years.

Eleven confirmed cases and one probable case, six deaths and six recoveries were recorded in four health zones in North Kivu since 7 February when the Ministry of Health announced the resurgence of Ebola in Butembo, a city in North Kivu Province and one of the hotspots of the 2018?2020 outbreak. Results from genome sequencing conducted by the country?s National Institute of Biomedical Research found that the first Ebola case detected in the outbreak was linked to the previous outbreak, but the source of infection is yet to be determined.

?Huge credit must be given to the local health workers and the national authorities for their prompt response, tenacity, experience and hard work that brought this outbreak under control,? said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Direct for Africa. ?Although the outbreak has ended, we must stay alert for possible resurgence and at the same time use the growing expertise on emergency response to address other health threats the country faces.?

The response was coordinated by the Provincial Department of Health in collaboration with WHO and partners. WHO had nearly 60 experts on the ground and as soon as the outbreak was declared helped local workers to trace contacts, provide treatment, engage communities and vaccinate nearly 2000 people at high risk, including over 500 frontline workers.

The response was often hampered by insecurity caused by armed groups and social disturbances which at times limited the movement of responders. The area where the outbreak took place is one where the population is highly mobile as people move to conduct business or visit family and friends. Butembo city is about 150 km from the Uganda border and there were concerns over the potential cross-border spread of the outbreak. However, due to the effective response the outbreak stayed limited to North Kivu province.

While the 12th outbreak is over, there is a need for continued vigilance and maintaining a strong surveillance system as potential flare-ups are possible in the months to come. It is important to continue with sustained disease surveillance, monitoring of alerts and working with communities to detect and respond rapidly to any new cases and WHO will continue to assist health authorities with their efforts to contain quickly a sudden re-emergence of Ebola.

WHO continues to work with the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fight other public health problems such as outbreaks of measles and cholera, the COVID-19 pandemic and a weak health system.

The 2018?2020 outbreak was the 10th in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the country?s deadliest, with 3481 cases, 2299 deaths and 1162 survivors. The country also experienced its 11th outbreak which took place in Equateur Province last year.

Currently there is an ongoing Ebola outbreak in Guinea, which began in February of this year.


https://www.afro.who.int/news/ebola-outbreak-democratic-republic-congo-declared-over