EbolaEbola cases mounting in Congo as region prepares for more
The Ebola outbreak on the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) grew by nine more confirmed cases Thursday, and one death. Six of the new cases (including the death) are from Mandima health zone in Ituri province. Ituri borders North Kivu province, the outbreak’s epicenter. The cases expand the number of cases in neighboring Ituri province. Outbreak total now stands at 66, which includes 39 confirmed and 27 probable cases. Lab testing results have brought the suspected number of cases down to 36 from 58.
The Ebola outbreak on the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) grew by nine more confirmed cases Thursday, and one death. Six of the new cases (including the death) are from Mandima health zone in Ituri province. Ituri borders North Kivu province, the outbreak’s epicenter. The cases expand the number of cases in neighboring Ituri province.
Yesterday, the DRC said a man from Ituri had contracted Ebola and had been treated for heart problems at Mangina Reference Hospital. He died upon his return home.
Outbreak total now stands at 66, which includes 39 confirmed and 27 probable cases. Lab testing results have brought the suspected number of cases down to 36 from 58.
North Kivu is one of the most densely populated regions in DRC, with 8 million inhabitants. Ituri, South Kivu, Maniema and Tshopo are neighboring regions, and home to an additional 1 million displaced persons. The area is a hothouse of rebel activity.
Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) addressed the risk of violence workers face as they try to contain the outbreak in the region, which has been described as a “war zone.”
Surveillance at entry points increases
CIDRAP says that according to the latest situation report published by the WHO, a total of 990 contacts are under surveillance in Mabalako (790), Beni (141) and Mandima (59) health zones as of Aug 11. Of these, 129 are healthcare workers. So far, eight healthcare workers have contracted the virus, and one has died.
Today the WHO detailed the surveillance and preparedness plans underway in the DRC and Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Burundi – the countries most likely to experience spillover infections.
“WHO is deploying Preparedness Support Teams to these and other neighbouring countries, as was done during the previous EVD outbreak in Équateur Province,” the WHO said. “These missions aim to assess countries’ readiness using a WHO checklist and to provide technical support to countries to develop and implement national contingency plans in collaboration with partners.”
The WHO also said it will be strengthening surveillance capacities in 18 international points of entry in North Kivu. Burundi, Central African Republic, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Zambia have already implemented heightened POE activities.
The WHO is not suggesting restricted travel to and from DRC.
False alarm in Uganda
Yesterday, international news media, including Xinhua, reported three suspected cases of Ebola detected in Uganda. Two cases were said to be detected at entry points, and a third was described in a pregnant woman who died from hemorrhage at a hospital. Today officials from the WHO and Uganda took to Twitter to announce that lab testing showed there was no Ebola in Uganda.
“There is no confirmed case of #Ebola in #Uganda as reported in sections of the international media. The MOH have heightened surveillance and operational readiness to respond to #Ebola,” said Yonas Woldemariam, MD, WHO country representative for Uganda on Twitter.
