Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa, said the new Ebola outbreak in Mbandaka "represents a challenge, but it's one we are ready to tackle".
The newest outbreak in the DRC's northwest is the 11th in the country since scientists first characterised the disease in 1976.
The new #Ebola outbreak in Mbandaka #DRC represents a challenge, but it's one we are ready to tackle. @WHO has worked w/ @MinSanteRDC, @AfricaCDC & partners over the years to strengthen capacity to respond to outbreaks. With each experience we respond faster & more effectively. pic.twitter.com/SKc6GnI4q4
— Dr Matshidiso Moeti (@MoetiTshidi) June 1, 2020
The Ebola epidemic in the country's volatile east has killed 2,280 people since it emerged in eastern North Kivu Province in August 2018 and later spread to the neighbouring Ituri province.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in July 2019, after the highly contagious virus threatened to spread to the large city of Goma and neighbouring countries.
Fortunes changed with the roll-out of two vaccines produced by Merck and Johnson & Johnson - which are in clinical study phases and not yet licenced - to immunise more than 300,000 people. Prioritising the contacts of people diagnosed with Ebola was highly effective in halting the severe hemorrhagic fever, which attacks multiple bodily organs and can cause uncontrollable internal bleeding.
Officials had hoped to be able to proclaim the outbreak over on June 25. For this to happen, there have to be no new cases reported for 42 days - double the incubation period.
In April, the eastern outbreak was just three days away from being declared over when a new case was reported, pushing the date back.
The DRC is also fighting an outbreak of the new coronavirus, recording so far 3,195 infections - 2,896 in the capital, Kinshasa - and 72 deaths, according to the latest official figures.
No comments:
Post a Comment