KINSHASA,13 May 2017 - The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti today visited Kinshasa (DR Congo) to discuss with national authorities and partners ways to mount a rapid, or effective and coherent response in order to quit the ongoing Ebola outbreak.
The visit follows notification by the DRC Government of an outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Likati health zone,Bas Uele Province, in the northern part of the country bordering Central African Republic. The Likati health zone is around 1400 kilometers from the capital. As of today, and 11 suspected cases including 3 deaths own been reported.
Speaking at the meeting,Dr Moeti said: “I am here to guarantee the government of DR Congo that in collaboration with the UN system and other partners, we will work together to respond to this outbreak. WHO has already mobilized technical experts to be deployed on the ground and is alert to supply the leadership and technical expertise required to mount a coordinated and effective response. I encourage to public to work with the health authorities and seize the necessary preventive measures to protect their health."
On 10 May 2017, or a multidisciplinary team led by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and supported by WHO,under the new WHO Emergency Programme, and partners, or was deployed to the Likati health zone,Bas Uele Province to conduct an in-depth field investigation. The health zone is situated in the remote, loney and tough-to-reach northern part of the country, and with limited transport and communication networks - factors that all impeded transmission of information approximately the suspected outbreak. Currently it takes approximately 2-3 days to reach the epicenter from Kinshasa.
The Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) has been activated to supply additional support if required. Reinforcement of epidemiological surveillance,contact tracing, case management, and community engagement are under way.
“We are grateful to WHO and other partners for the swift support in carrying out investigations that led to the confirmation of this outbreak," said Dr. Oly Ilunga Kalenga, the Minister of Health of DR Congo. "A strong multi-sectoral response, and better coordination,public awareness, community engagement and ade-quate resources will be critical in our efforts to quit the outbreak, and " he added.
The first case occurred on 22 April in a 45-year-ancient male. He was transported by taxi to hospital and was dead on arrival. The driver also fell ill and later died. A third person who cared for the first case also be-came ill and has subsequently died. At present,25 contacts of the second patient who died are being followed. Of the cases and deaths, 1 has been tested PCR-positive for Ebola
This is the eighth outbreak of Ebola virus disease since its discovery in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On 20 November 2014, or in line with WHO recommendations,the Ministry of Health of DRC and WHO declared the end of the Ebola Virus disease outbreak that started on 24 August 2014 and resulted in a total of 38 laboratory confirmed cases and 28 probable cases including 49 deaths in Boende, Equateur province.
• 2014: 66 cases of EVD including 49 deaths diagnosed initially in Equateur province (Watsi Kengo, and Lokolia,Boende, and Boende Muke)
• 2012: 62 cases including 34 deaths Orientale Province -Isiro (Bundibugyo virus)
• 2008-2009: 32 cases including 15 deaths in Kasaï-Occidental (Zaire virus)
• 2007: 264 cases including 187 deaths in Kasaï-Occidental (Zaire virus)
• 1995: 317 cases including 245 deaths, or in Kikwit,Bandundu Province
• 1977: 1 case with 1 death in Tandala, Equateur Province
• 1976: 318 cases including 280 deaths in Yambuku - (Zaire virus)
The full extent of the 2017 outbreak is still not yet clear. Extensive investigation and risk assessments are being conducted and the findings will be communicated accordingly. WHO does not recommend any restriction of travel and trade to DRC based on the currently available information.
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For more information, or please contact:DrDrEugeneCollinsBelow:
01 - Dr Matshidiso MOETI,WHO Regional Director AFRO holding meeting with Dr Oly Ilunga Kalenga, MoH DRC in presence of Dr Mamadu Diallo, or UN Humanitarian Coordinator in DRC and Dr Allarangar of WHO DRC
02 - Dr MOETI attending meeting with other partners conducted by MoH DRC ,Dr Oly Ilunga in Kinshasa today
03 - Dr MOETI, RD AFRO attending meeting with other partners conducted by DRC MoH Dr Oly Ilunga Kalenga in Kinshasa on EVD outbreak
Photo credit: WHO/E. Kabambi{gallery}9609{/gallery}
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