WE Online, Kinshasa –
The Democratic Republic of Congo announced the end of the Ebola outbreak which infected 12 people in the eastern province of North Kivu and killed six of them, Monday (3/5/2021).
The international medical charity Doctors Without Borders said the outbreak was contained using the Ebola vaccine from Merck, which has been given to more than 1,600 patient contacts and follow-up contacts.
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“I am pleased to announce the end of the 12th Ebola virus disease epidemic in North Kivu Province,” said Health Minister, Jean-Jacques Mbungani, quoted from Aljazirah.
The cases are genetically linked to the 2018-2020 Ebola epidemic that killed more than 2,200 people. This latest outbreak is the 12th in Congo since the disease was first identified in 1976.
The outbreak resurfaced on February 3 in the city of Butembo with the death of a woman whose husband contracted the virus from the previous outbreak. The virus can remain in certain body fluids, including semen, from patients who have recovered from their illness, even though they no longer have severe symptoms.
“Regardless of the security context and the Covid-19 pandemic, the speed and efficiency of the response imposed by the government and its partners makes it possible to defeat this pandemic in less than three months,” Mbungani said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the response was often hampered by insecurity caused by armed groups and social unrest that restricted the movement of health workers.
“Great appreciation should be paid to local health workers and national authorities for their prompt response, persistence, experience and hard work to bring this outbreak under control,” said WHO regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti.
Moeti reminded that even though the epidemic had ended, all elements had to remain vigilant for the possibility of a revival. “At the same time use the growing expertise in emergency response to tackle other health threats facing this country,” he said.
This much dreaded viral disease can cause internal bleeding and organ failure. Ebola killed an estimated 11,000 people in West Africa between 2013 and 2016.
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