Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola Outbreak Situation Report #1

DRC Ebola Outbreak SitRep 1.pdf

Download PDF • 162KB

Highlights:  

·       On May 15^th, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) reported 246 suspected cases and 67 deaths mainly in the Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones:

o   The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on May 15^th, that 13 cases have been confirmed.

o   Patients presented with symptoms including fever, generalized body pain, weakness, vomiting and, in some cases, bleeding. Several cases deteriorated rapidly and died.

o   Given the uncertainties and severity of the illness, there is concern about the scale of transmission in affected communities. 

o   Test results suggest a non-Zaire ebolavirus, with sequencing ongoing to further characterize the strain.

o   The Africa CDC is concerned about the risk of further spread due to the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara, intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu, insecurity in affected areas, gaps in contact listing, infection prevention and control challenges, and the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan.

o   The Uganda Ministry of Health confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo in a patient from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was being treated at a health facility but later died:

ü  Ugandan health authorities have activated outbreak control measures.

·       Public Health Response:

o   The Africa CDC has convened a high-level coordination meeting with health authorities from the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, WHO, and other national government, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

o   A WHO mission including the WHO representative, the emergency preparedness and response team had already been deployed in Ituri:

ü  This team will support the provincial authorities with investigations that led to the confirmation of the outbreak. 

ü  The team is also working with the national and provincial health authorities to strengthen outbreak control measures and prevent further spread of the virus. 

ü  Additional WHO experts in epidemiology, infection prevention and control, laboratory diagnostics, clinical care, logistics, risk communication and community engagement are being mobilized to reinforce the response.

o   WHO is airlifting five metric tons of supplies (infection prevention and control, materials, laboratory sample transportation equipment, case management, tents and other supplies) to Bunia to support frontline health workers and treatment facilities. 

o   The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are monitoring this outbreak.

Sources:

·       Africa CDC Twitter Page 

·       WHO African Region Twitter Page

·       European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control Bluesky Page 

Resources

ECDC, Ebola disease

https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/ebola-and-marburg-fevers