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DR Congo - continued

Printed From: COVID-19 / South Africa Omicron Variant
Category: New emerging Diseases / Flu Tracking
Forum Name: Ebola
Forum Description: (Tracking the Ebola virus)
URL: http://www.avianflutalk.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=40594
Printed Date: March 28 2024 at 11:40am


Topic: DR Congo - continued
Posted By: Technophobe
Subject: DR Congo - continued
Date Posted: January 31 2020 at 3:33am
I thought this would get lost in all the coronavirus posts and the original thread is not accepting more additions so here it is:[i/]

Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo

Disease outbreak news: Update
30 January 2020

From 22 to 28 January five new confirmed cases were reported in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All five cases were reported from Beni Health Zone and had epidemiological links to the transmission chain which originated in Aloya Health Area, Mabalako Health Zone. The most likely exposure for all these cases was through nosocomial infection in traditional practitioner facilities. All of the cases were identified as contacts but were not followed up at the time of detection.

One confirmed case reported on 20 January stayed in the community for four days prior to being admitted to an Ebola treatment centre (ETC) and infected two additional people in the community. These two individuals, reported on 27 January, stayed four to five days in the community while symptomatic prior to isolation. One other confirmed case stayed in the community for eight days after symptom onset and passed away in the community on 28 January. Confirmed cases who spend time in the community increase the risk of transmission of EVD to contacts. Therefore, further cases can be expected in the coming two weeks in Bundji and Kanzulinzuli Health Areas and neighbouring health areas in Beni Health Zone.

In the past 21 days (8 to 28 January 2020), 28 confirmed cases were reported from five health areas within three active health zones in North Kivu Province (Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1): Beni (n=18), Mabalako (n=9), and Musienene (n=1). Beni Health Zone remains the current hotspot of the outbreak, having reported 64% of confirmed cases in the past 21 days. As of 28 January, the following health zones marked more than 21 days without confirmed cases of EVD: Mambasa Health Zone in Ituri Province (23 days), and Butembo (25 days) Health Zone in North Kivu Province. Of the 28 people confirmed with EVD in the past 21 days, 20 were isolated and provided care within the first two days after symptom onset, which means that they have better chances of survival and are less likely to infect contacts in the community.

In the past 21 days encouraging trends about the development of the outbreak have been observed. The past epidemiological week (20 to 26 January 2020) saw the smallest number of cases reported since the beginning of the response; cases have been reported in five health areas in three health zones; contact tracing performance as well as the daily number of reported alerts continue to improve over time (Figure 3, Figure 4). Contact tracing has notably improved as a result of the provision of accommodation and essential services in Beni Health Zone to known contacts who have agreed to be followed. Despite these encouraging signs, continuous vigilance is warranted in order to overcome remaining challenges. Possible nosocomial transmission linked to traditional practitioner facilities remains a major driver of the current outbreak and poses specific challenges such as contact identification.

As of 28 January, a total of 3421 EVD cases were reported, including 3302 confirmed and 119 probable cases, of which 2242 cases died (overall case fatality ratio 66%) (Table 1). Of the total confirmed and probable cases, 56% (n=1918) were female, 28% (n=963) were children aged less than 18 years, and 5% (n=172) of all reported cases were health care workers.
Figure 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 28 January 2020*
Enlarge image

**3421 confirmed and probable cases, reported as of 28 January 2020. Excludes n=169 cases for whom onset dates not reported. Data in recent weeks are subject to delays in case confirmation and reporting, as well as ongoing data cleaning. Other health zones include: Alimbongo, Ariwara, Biena, Bunia, Goma, Kayna, Komanda, Kyondo, Lolwa, Lubero, Mandima, Manguredjipa, Masereka, Mutwanga, Mwenga, Nyakunde, Nyiragongo, Oicha, Pinga, Rwampara, Tchomia, and Vuhovi.
Figure 2: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 28 January 2020*
Enlarge image
Figure 3. Alerts of Ebola virus disease reported, investigated, and validated daily from outbreak affected areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as of 28 January 2020
Enlarge image
Figure 4. Number of contacts registered and followed up each day, as of 28 January 2020
Enlarge image
Table 1: Confirmed and probable Ebola virus disease cases by week of illness onset by health zone. Data as of 28 January 2020**
Enlarge image

**Total cases and areas affected during the last 21 days are based on the initial date of case alert and may differ from date of confirmation and daily reporting by the Ministry of Health.
Public health response

For further information about public health response actions by the Ministry of Health, WHO, and partners, please refer to the latest situation reports published by the WHO Regional Office for Africa:

    Ebola situation reports: Democratic Republic of the Congo

WHO risk assessment

WHO continuously monitors changes to the epidemiological situation and context of the outbreak to ensure that support to the response is adapted to the evolving circumstances. The last assessment concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low.
WHO advice

WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, and trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on the currently available information. Any requirements for certificates of Ebola vaccination are not a reasonable basis for restricting movement across borders or the issuance of visas for travellers to/from the affected countries. WHO continues to closely monitor and, if necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event. Currently, no country has implemented travel measures that significantly interfere with international traffic to and from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Travellers should seek medical advice before travel and should practise good hygiene. Further information is available in the WHO recommendations for international traffic related to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.




Source and a plethora of links:    https://www.who.int/csr/don/30-january-2020-ebola-drc/en/" rel="nofollow - https://www.who.int/csr/don/30-january-2020-ebola-drc/en/

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How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.



Replies:
Posted By: Technophobe
Date Posted: January 31 2020 at 1:24pm
Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo: Disease outbreak news, 30 January 2020

from World Health Organization


From 22 to 28 January five new confirmed cases were reported in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All five cases were reported from Beni Health Zone and had epidemiological links to the transmission chain which originated in Aloya Health Area, Mabalako Health Zone. The most likely exposure for all these cases was through nosocomial infection in traditional practitioner facilities. All of the cases were identified as contacts but were not followed up at the time of detection.

One confirmed case reported on 20 January stayed in the community for four days prior to being admitted to an Ebola treatment centre (ETC) and infected two additional people in the community. These two individuals, reported on 27 January, stayed four to five days in the community while symptomatic prior to isolation. One other confirmed case stayed in the community for eight days after symptom onset and passed away in the community on 28 January. Confirmed cases who spend time in the community increase the risk of transmission of EVD to contacts. Therefore, further cases can be expected in the coming two weeks in Bundji and Kanzulinzuli Health Areas and neighbouring health areas in Beni Health Zone.

In the past 21 days (8 to 28 January 2020), 28 confirmed cases were reported from five health areas within three active health zones in North Kivu Province (Figure 1, Figure 2, Table 1): Beni (n=18), Mabalako (n=9), and Musienene (n=1). Beni Health Zone remains the current hotspot of the outbreak, having reported 64% of confirmed cases in the past 21 days. As of 28 January, the following health zones marked more than 21 days without confirmed cases of EVD: Mambasa Health Zone in Ituri Province (23 days), and Butembo (25 days) Health Zone in North Kivu Province. Of the 28 people confirmed with EVD in the past 21 days, 20 were isolated and provided care within the first two days after symptom onset, which means that they have better chances of survival and are less likely to infect contacts in the community.

In the past 21 days encouraging trends about the development of the outbreak have been observed. The past epidemiological week (20 to 26 January 2020) saw the smallest number of cases reported since the beginning of the response; cases have been reported in five health areas in three health zones; contact tracing performance as well as the daily number of reported alerts continue to improve over time (Figure 3, Figure 4). Contact tracing has notably improved as a result of the provision of accommodation and essential services in Beni Health Zone to known contacts who have agreed to be followed. Despite these encouraging signs, continuous vigilance is warranted in order to overcome remaining challenges. Possible nosocomial transmission linked to traditional practitioner facilities remains a major driver of the current outbreak and poses specific challenges such as contact identification.

As of 28 January, a total of 3421 EVD cases were reported, including 3302 confirmed and 119 probable cases, of which 2242 cases died (overall case fatality ratio 66%) (Table 1). Of the total confirmed and probable cases, 56% (n=1918) were female, 28% (n=963) were children aged less than 18 years, and 5% (n=172) of all reported cases were health care workers.

Public health response

For further information about public health response actions by the Ministry of Health, WHO, and partners, please refer to the latest situation reports published by the WHO Regional Office for Africa:

    Ebola situation reports: Democratic Republic of the Congo

WHO risk assessment

WHO continuously monitors changes to the epidemiological situation and context of the outbreak to ensure that support to the response is adapted to the evolving circumstances. The last assessment concluded that the national and regional risk levels remain very high, while global risk levels remain low.

WHO advice

WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, and trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo based on the currently available information. Any requirements for certificates of Ebola vaccination are not a reasonable basis for restricting movement across borders or the issuance of visas for travellers to/from the affected countries. WHO continues to closely monitor and, if necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event. Currently, no country has implemented travel measures that significantly interfere with international traffic to and from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Travellers should seek medical advice before travel and should practise good hygiene. Further information is available in the WHO recommendations for international traffic related to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Source:    https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/ebola-virus-disease-democratic-republic-congo-disease-outbreak-87" rel="nofollow - https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/ebola-virus-disease-democratic-republic-congo-disease-outbreak-87

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How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.


Posted By: Technophobe
Date Posted: March 04 2020 at 12:12pm

DRC: Last Ebola patient discharged with end of outbreak in sight

The virus killed 2,264 people and infected nearly 1,200 more, making it the second-worst Ebola outbreak in history.        

The country's dense tropical forests are considered a natural reservoir for the deadly disease [MSF via AFP]The country's dense tropical forests are considered a natural reservoir for the deadly disease [MSF via AFP]

        more on https://www.aljazeera.com/topics/country/democratic-republic-congo.html - Democratic Republic of the Congo

  
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/dr-congo-ebola-officials-hope-country-cleared-months-200302084600648.html - DR Congo Ebola: Officials hope country cleared in few months
  •     
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/blogs/africa/2020/02/adf-rebels-cleared-stronghold-beni-dr-congo-army-200228101158114.html - ADF rebels cleared from last stronghold in Beni: DR Congo army
  •     
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/drc-violence-beni-victims-attackers-wore-military-uniforms-200222094738495.html - DRC violence: Beni victims say attackers wore military uniforms
  •     
  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/dr-congo-effort-rebel-attacks-east-200215105757589.html - DR Congo: Effort to end rebel attacks in the east
    

The last patient treated for Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been discharged, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, bringing the 19-month-old outbreak closer than ever to an end.

The patient's release from a hospital in the eastern city of Beni on Tuesday - feted by hospital staff who sang, danced and drummed on rubbish bins - marked the first time there have been no active cases since the outbreak was declared in August 2018.

More:

  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/dr-congo-ebola-officials-hope-country-cleared-months-200302084600648.html - DR Congo Ebola: Officials hope country cleared in few months

  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/extends-emergency-status-ebola-dr-congo-200212185401471.html - WHO extends emergency status of Ebola in DR Congo

  • https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/doctors-treating-ebola-flee-dr-congo-east-deadly-violence-191205013829630.html - Doctors treating Ebola flee DR Congo's east amid deadly violence

In that period, the virus killed 2,264 people and infected nearly 1,200 more, making it the second-worst Ebola outbreak in history. Only the 2013-16 epidemic in West Africa was deadlier, killing more than 11,000.

The DRC has now gone 14 days without any new confirmed cases. The outbreak can be declared over once 42 days have passed without a new case - equivalent to two cycles of 21 days, the maximum incubation period for the virus.

After receiving her survivor's certificate, the patient discharged, Semida Masika, said she was delighted to be headed home.

"As I am the last survivor, I say thank you very much and praise be to God," she said.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the developments as "very good news, not just for me, but for the whole world" at a briefing.

The UN-appointed coordinator for response efforts said he was stepping down to return to his job with the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC.

However, a WHO spokesman cautioned the outbreak was not yet over, citing difficulties tracking cases in the eastern DRC, where militia violence is widespread.

"Because of the complex security environment, Ebola transmission outside of groups currently under monitoring cannot be ruled out," said the spokesman, Tarik Jasarevic. "A single case could reignite the epidemic."

Even as caseloads declined last month and Ebola was overshadowed by the rapid spread of coronavirus around the world, the WHO said it continued to believe the outbreak constituted an international health emergency.

The current outbreak - the DRC's 10th since 1976 - came immediately after another, smaller one was ended in another part of the country in 2018. The country's dense tropical forests are considered a natural reservoir for the disease.

   
How severe is the latest Ebola outbreak in DR Congo?


Source:   https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/drc-ebola-patient-discharged-outbreak-sight-200304130826905.html - https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/drc-ebola-patient-discharged-outbreak-sight-200304130826905.html




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How do you tell if a politician is lying?
His lips or pen are moving.



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