Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 40: 28 September - 4 October 2020
Data as reported by: 17:00; 4 October 2020
...
Ebola virus disease Democratic Republic of the Congo
(?quateur Province)
128 Cases
53 Deaths
40.3% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in ?quateur Province,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, continues to evolve, albeit with a
slow increase in new cases and deaths. However, there are now 42
health areas affected out of 13 health zones, which indicates further
geographical spread. Since our last report (Weekly Bulletin 39), there
has been one new confirmed EVD case and three new deaths. In the
past 21 days (from 13 September to 3 October 2020) there have been
four confirmed cases of EVD in four out of 42 health areas in three out
of 13 affected health zones.
As of 3 October 2020, the cumulative total of EVD cases is 128 (119
confirmed and nine probable) including 53 deaths (case fatality ratio
41.4%). The case fatality ratio among confirmed cases 37.0% (44
deaths/119 confirmed cases). The number of health workers affected
remains at three, making up 2.3% of all cases.
A total of 35 new contacts were listed on 3 October 2020. Out of 698
active contacts, 633 (90.7%) have been followed-up. Of the 52 contacts
who were not seen, 36 (69.2%) have never been seen, three (5.8%)
were lost to follow-up and 13 (25%) were not seen in the previous 24
hours. Ten contacts became symptomatic, six in Lotumbe, and four in
Ingende. A total of 813 new alerts (including 20 deaths) were reported
in 12 health zones. Of the 865 alerts recorded to date 829 (95.8%) were
investigated and 80 (36.4%) were validated.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
On 3 October 2020, 36/51 active Points of Control (POCs) reported.
A total of 49 588 travellers passed through these PoCs and 46 847
(94.5%) were screened. Since the start of the response activities,
1 663 093 (92.4%) screenings have been performed among the 1
800 330 travellers who have passed through the active PoCs. Out of
these 193 alerts have been detected, with 101 validated.
As of 3 October 2020, 66 samples were received in five operational
laboratories. Since the start of the outbreak a total of 9 302 samples
have been tested.
A total of 244 new people were vaccinated with rVSV-ZEBOV-GP on
3 October 2020, in seven rings, including 57 contacts-of-contacts,
ten high risk contacts, and 177 probable contacts; these figures
include 165 first line providers.
Since 5 June 2020, a total of 34 897 people has been vaccinated.
A total of 41 patients, with one confirmed, were managed in the
transit centres and Ebola treatment centres in affected areas as of
3 October 2020.
Since the start of specific EVD therapy, 31 (39.7%) confirmed
patients have been treated with this.
Seven confirmed cases of EVD remain in the community, including
four in Lotumbe, two in Lolanga Mampoko and one in Mbandaka.
On 3 October 2020 there were 21 community death alerts in Bikoro
(1), Bolenge (2), Bolomba (3), Iboko (2), Ingende (2), Lilanga
Bobangi (2), Lotumbe (3), Makanza (2) and Wangata (3). Only eight
samples were taken with only three secure and dignified burials
carried out.
On 3 October 2020, construction started on a borehole at the general
reference hospital in Lotumbe; in Makanza, 17 nurses were briefed
in IPC precautions and one health facility and one household were
decontaminated; IPC/WASH kits have been provided in Bomongo
health zone, while the team in charge of safe and dignified burials
were briefed on injection safety, swabs and donning and doffing of
personal protective equipment. IPC capacity was assessed in seven
health facilities in affected health zones.
Risk communication, mobilization and community engagement
continues, with awareness raising activities around the recent
confirmed case of EVD in Makanza Health Zone, focusing on signs
and preventive measures; sensitization activities were discussed
with religious leaders from the same health zone. In Bomongo,
mass sensitization on EVD and COVID-19 was carried out by the
administrator of the territory. Household visits continue, along with
awareness activities by community relays, Red Cross volunteers and
Community Action Cells.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
The EVD outbreak in this area of Democratic Republic of the Congo
continues, although at a relatively slow rate. There are still contacts lost
to follow up, confirmed cases still remain in the community and safe and
dignified burials continue to be a challenge. Funding remains inadequate,
community resistance continues, as well as the problem of inadequate
laboratory reagents and commodities. Continued advocacy is required
with donors and funding agencies to strengthen response activities. EVD
awareness activities are taking place in tandem with COVID-19 response
activities, which is to be commended, and which will hopefully continue, to
help to break the stigma associated with both diseases.
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/335869/OEW40-280904102020.pdf
AND OTHER EMERGENCIES
Week 40: 28 September - 4 October 2020
Data as reported by: 17:00; 4 October 2020
...
Ebola virus disease Democratic Republic of the Congo
(?quateur Province)
128 Cases
53 Deaths
40.3% CFR
EVENT DESCRIPTION
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in ?quateur Province,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, continues to evolve, albeit with a
slow increase in new cases and deaths. However, there are now 42
health areas affected out of 13 health zones, which indicates further
geographical spread. Since our last report (Weekly Bulletin 39), there
has been one new confirmed EVD case and three new deaths. In the
past 21 days (from 13 September to 3 October 2020) there have been
four confirmed cases of EVD in four out of 42 health areas in three out
of 13 affected health zones.
As of 3 October 2020, the cumulative total of EVD cases is 128 (119
confirmed and nine probable) including 53 deaths (case fatality ratio
41.4%). The case fatality ratio among confirmed cases 37.0% (44
deaths/119 confirmed cases). The number of health workers affected
remains at three, making up 2.3% of all cases.
A total of 35 new contacts were listed on 3 October 2020. Out of 698
active contacts, 633 (90.7%) have been followed-up. Of the 52 contacts
who were not seen, 36 (69.2%) have never been seen, three (5.8%)
were lost to follow-up and 13 (25%) were not seen in the previous 24
hours. Ten contacts became symptomatic, six in Lotumbe, and four in
Ingende. A total of 813 new alerts (including 20 deaths) were reported
in 12 health zones. Of the 865 alerts recorded to date 829 (95.8%) were
investigated and 80 (36.4%) were validated.
PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS
On 3 October 2020, 36/51 active Points of Control (POCs) reported.
A total of 49 588 travellers passed through these PoCs and 46 847
(94.5%) were screened. Since the start of the response activities,
1 663 093 (92.4%) screenings have been performed among the 1
800 330 travellers who have passed through the active PoCs. Out of
these 193 alerts have been detected, with 101 validated.
As of 3 October 2020, 66 samples were received in five operational
laboratories. Since the start of the outbreak a total of 9 302 samples
have been tested.
A total of 244 new people were vaccinated with rVSV-ZEBOV-GP on
3 October 2020, in seven rings, including 57 contacts-of-contacts,
ten high risk contacts, and 177 probable contacts; these figures
include 165 first line providers.
Since 5 June 2020, a total of 34 897 people has been vaccinated.
A total of 41 patients, with one confirmed, were managed in the
transit centres and Ebola treatment centres in affected areas as of
3 October 2020.
Since the start of specific EVD therapy, 31 (39.7%) confirmed
patients have been treated with this.
Seven confirmed cases of EVD remain in the community, including
four in Lotumbe, two in Lolanga Mampoko and one in Mbandaka.
On 3 October 2020 there were 21 community death alerts in Bikoro
(1), Bolenge (2), Bolomba (3), Iboko (2), Ingende (2), Lilanga
Bobangi (2), Lotumbe (3), Makanza (2) and Wangata (3). Only eight
samples were taken with only three secure and dignified burials
carried out.
On 3 October 2020, construction started on a borehole at the general
reference hospital in Lotumbe; in Makanza, 17 nurses were briefed
in IPC precautions and one health facility and one household were
decontaminated; IPC/WASH kits have been provided in Bomongo
health zone, while the team in charge of safe and dignified burials
were briefed on injection safety, swabs and donning and doffing of
personal protective equipment. IPC capacity was assessed in seven
health facilities in affected health zones.
Risk communication, mobilization and community engagement
continues, with awareness raising activities around the recent
confirmed case of EVD in Makanza Health Zone, focusing on signs
and preventive measures; sensitization activities were discussed
with religious leaders from the same health zone. In Bomongo,
mass sensitization on EVD and COVID-19 was carried out by the
administrator of the territory. Household visits continue, along with
awareness activities by community relays, Red Cross volunteers and
Community Action Cells.
SITUATION INTERPRETATION
The EVD outbreak in this area of Democratic Republic of the Congo
continues, although at a relatively slow rate. There are still contacts lost
to follow up, confirmed cases still remain in the community and safe and
dignified burials continue to be a challenge. Funding remains inadequate,
community resistance continues, as well as the problem of inadequate
laboratory reagents and commodities. Continued advocacy is required
with donors and funding agencies to strengthen response activities. EVD
awareness activities are taking place in tandem with COVID-19 response
activities, which is to be commended, and which will hopefully continue, to
help to break the stigma associated with both diseases.
https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/335869/OEW40-280904102020.pdf