The Democratic Republic of the Congo declares the end of the latest Ebola outbreak after 11 cases and six deaths

December 16, 2021

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Moeti does not report any relevant financial information.

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The recent Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is over.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo announced Thursday the end of the outbreak after 42 days – the length of two incubation periods – with no new case. Eleven people were infected in the outbreak and six died. It was the 13th Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the virus was first discovered in 1976 and the second this year.

Source: WHO

The outbreak was declared on October 8 following the death of a child in North Kivu province. It was followed by a three-month outbreak that was declared over in May after 12 cases and six deaths. Both outbreaks occurred in the same area as a two-year outbreak that ended in June 2020 that infected more than 3,400 people and killed more than 2,200 – the second largest Ebola outbreak on record.

Officials attributed a swift response to ending the recent outbreak. According to the WHO, more than 1,800 people received the Ebola vaccine from Merck after the first case was identified.

Matshidiso Moeti

“Stronger disease surveillance, civic engagement, targeted vaccinations and quick reactions ensure more effective Ebola containment in the region.” Matshidiso Moeti, MD, MPH, The WHO Regional Director for Africa announced in a press release. “During this outbreak, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was able to limit widespread infections and save lives. With every breakout experience, important lessons are learned and applied. “

As with previous Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, regional uncertainty has made it difficult to respond. According to the WHO, “the” unpredictable and sometimes volatile security in parts of Beni “- the city at the center of the outbreak -” hampered the response in some places as health workers and other frontline forces were unable to enter unsafe areas, to monitor high risk contacts ”. or administer vaccines. “

WHO said it had dispatched an expert to the outbreak zone “to train WHO staff and partners in preventing inappropriate and abusive behavior” after an investigation into the major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in June 2020 ended up uncovering more than 80 suspected abuse cases, including allegations against WHO staff.

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