EbolaCongo Ebola total grows to 52 as security concerns hamper epidemic containment efforts
The World Health Organization (WHO), following a visit by top WHO officials to the latest outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), called for free and secure access for responders working in the affected conflict-affected area. A range of armed groups are active in the North Kivu province, creating challenging security issued for health teams who need to go deep into communities to identify and monitor possible cases, the WHO said. Conflict settings can also discourage community members from coming forward for treatment.
Following a visit by top World Health Organization (WHO) officials to the latest outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the WHO the other day called for free and secure access for responders working in the affected conflict-affected area.
Over the past few days the DRC’s health ministry confirmed eight more cases, one of them a health worker from Mangina, the outbreak epicenter. According to an update yesterday, the outbreak total has risen to 52 cases, reflecting 25 confirmed and 27 probable cases. In addition, health officials are investigating 48 suspected infections. Two more deaths have been reported, lifting the fatality count to 39.
WHO mission highlights complex security issues
In a statement Sunday, the WHO said over a 2-day visit in the outbreak zone that was accompanied by the DRC health ministry, the group’s leadership saw first-hand the complexities responders face in implementing Ebola activities in North Kivu province. They visited the city of Beni and the Mangina health area, the location of most confirmed cases reported so far.
A range of armed groups are active in the area, creating challenging security issued for health teams who need to go deep into communities to identify and monitor possible cases, the WHO said. Conflict settings can also discourage community members from coming forward for treatment.
The health ministry outbreak said in its response plan, posted by the WHO on Aug 10, that the far northern part of North Kivu province is relatively peaceful, but the situation near the outbreak area is unpredictable. The area dominated by armed conflict with a risk of deliberate attacks and acts of hostility against facilities, personnel, and property during times of tension. North Kivu—home to eight million people—is one of the DRC’s most densely populated provinces.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general, said, “All of those participating in the response must be able to more freely and safety in conflict areas to do the work that is needed to bring the outbreak under control. The population must also have access to treatment centers that save lives and stop the spread of the disease.”
Health worker exposures raise worries of worsening outbreak phase
Of the eight latest confirmed cases reported since 9 August by the health ministry, five are from Mabalako, two are from Mangina, and 1 is from Beni.
