DRC Ebola Outbreak Prompts WHO Support for Regional Surveillance
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently battling an Ebola outbreak, prompting a rapid response from the World Health Institution (WHO) and other organizations like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The outbreak,centered in hard-to-reach localities,is raising concerns about potential spread to neighboring countries,particularly Angola.
As of this report, the WHO is providing critical support to the DRC, including patient isolation materials, water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies to bolster clinical care and protect frontline health workers.”The affected localities are hard to reach. We are working round the clock to rapidly roll out response measures to ensure robust outbreak control to stop the virus from spreading further and save lives,” stated Dr.Mohamed janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
MSF is collaborating with the DRCS health ministry and the WHO to establish and manage a treatment center at Bulape Hospital. Their efforts include reinforcing triage protocols, supplying essential medicines and personal protective equipment, and providing training in infection prevention and control, and symptomatic care. “We helped reinforce triage protocols, supplied essential medicines and personal protective equipment, and conducted training in infection prevention and control, and symptomatic care,” explained Brice de le Vingne, MSF’s emergency coordinator. Currently, a dozen MSF staff are on the ground in Bulape, with more personnel and medical supplies being deployed. MSF is also working with Congolese health authorities to assess needs related to surveillance, community engagement, and vaccination.
Approximately 68 health workers have already received vaccinations from a stockpile of 2,000 vaccines held by the DRC. the Africa CDC has identified the outbreak as “a major threat to national health systems and neighbouring countries, particularly Angola.”
To mitigate the risk of cross-border transmission, the WHO is actively working with ten countries bordering the DRC to enhance disease surveillance and contingency planning. In Angola,support is focused on increasing preparedness,particularly in Lunda norte Province,which shares a border with Kasai Province in the DRC.
bulape town is currently under confinement imposed by the state governor, restricting the free movement of people.Contact tracing efforts are underway, but officials emphasize the need to expand their reach.
Ebola virus disease is a rare, severe, and often fatal illness.transmission to humans occurs through contact with infected animals, while human-to-human transmission happens via direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person, contaminated objects, or the body of someone who has died from Ebola.
(Image Credit: UNICEF/Tremeau)
