Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo Claims 31 Lives, WHO Confirms 48 Cases. Image credit: Al Jazeera.
(The Post News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed on Thursday that 31 people have died and 48 cases of Ebola have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the country battles its first Ebola outbreak in three years.
WHO’s Geneva headquarters, Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the alarming outbreak. “It has been two weeks since the government of the DRC declared an Ebola outbreak. So far, 48 confirmed and probable cases have been reported, and 31 people have died,” ,” said Dr. Tedros.
The outbreak, first reported in September, has primarily affected the Kasai Province in central DRC, with Bulape identified as the epicenter of the outbreak. According to WHO, the situation is concerning due to the region’s dense tropical forests, which serve as a natural reservoir for the Ebola virus.
Ebola, which is transmitted through bodily fluids and causes symptoms like fever, body aches, and diarrhea, can remain in the body of survivors for years, often reemerging later. Despite being a known threat in the region, the virus has caused devastating effects in the past, and health authorities are ramping up their efforts to contain its spread.
WHO Deploys Medical Support and Vaccines
WHO launched a vaccination campaign, prioritizing health workers and individuals who have been in contact with infected patients. Dr. Tedros noted that 400 doses of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, part of the country’s stockpile of 2000 doses delivered to Bulape.
He said, “We have delivered more than 14 tonnes of essential medical supplies, deployed 48 experts, and established an Ebola treatment centre with 16 patients currently receiving care. Dr Tedros added that WHO has also provided courses of the monoclonal antibody therapy Mab114, a promising treatment for Ebola, to the region’s health centers.
“So far, 14 patients have received the drug,” Dr. Tedros said.
WHO reports that DRC is closely monitoring over 900 contacts of infected individuals. These people are being tracked and closely observed for any signs of the disease. On a more hopeful note, Dr. Tedros revealed that the first two patients who recovered from Ebola were discharged on Tuesday.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory on Thursday, alerting the public health departments, clinical laboratories, and healthcare workers about the Ebola outbreak in DRC.
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