Ebola outbreak update: 83 confirmed cases, Community talks help ease tensions

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Ministry of Health released updated numbers today on the 10th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the country since 1976 and as of Aug 26, a total of 111 cases of hemorrhagic fever were reported in the North Kivu region, 83 confirmed and 28 probable.

Of the 83 confirmed cases, 18 are cured, 18 are hospitalized and 47 have died. 75 total deaths have been reported.

Following the community’s latest protests against the Ebola response, the coordination organized a meeting with the mayor, notables, customary chiefs, district leaders, cell leaders, youth movements and civil society. from the city of Beni.

More than 350 people attended an exclusive information session on Ebola with the coordinators of the response. During this session, those present were able to ask all the questions and share their concerns. This exchange helped to ease tensions within the community. At the end of the session, the authorities committed themselves to preparing an action plan to support the various aspects of the response, in particular the signaling of alerts.

Since vaccination began on August 8, 2018, 4,130 people have been vaccinated , including 1,992 in Mabalako, 1,000 in Beni, 1,017 in Mandima and 121 in Oicha.

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The MoH has rapidly initiated response mechanisms in North Kivu and Ituri provinces, with support from WHO and partners. Priorities include the establishment and strengthening of surveillance, contact tracing, laboratory capacity, IPC, clinical management, vaccination, risk communication and community engagement, safe and dignified burials, response coordination, cross-border surveillance, and preparedness activities in neighboring provinces and countries.

DRC is concurrently experiencing several epidemics and a long-term humanitarian crisis. Additionally, the security situation in North Kivu and Ituri may hinder the implementation of response activities. Based on this context, the public health risk was assessed to be high at the national and regional levels, and low globally.