Congo Announces End of 11th Deadly Ebola Outbreak

Approximately six months after the case was reported, Congo declared the end of the 11th outbreak of Ebola amid an increase in COVID-19 in Central African countries. This is the first time Congo has not been infected with Ebola in about two and a half years.

Congolese Health Minister Dr. Eteni Longondo made an official declaration on Wednesday with the World Health Organization, with no new cases recorded for more than 48 days.

More than 55 deaths have been recorded since the outbreak on June 1, with 119 confirmed cases and 75 recovered, according to the WHO and the Ministry of Health.

The outbreak in western Congo occurred shortly before the outbreak of the second most deadly Ebola in history, which officially ended in eastern Congo on June 25 and killed 2,280 people in nearly two years. According to officials, the two strains were unrelated.

“This 11th Ebola virus epidemic had the peculiarity of spreading further to the healthy areas of rivers and lakes,” the Health Minister said Wednesday. “This constitutes a major logistical challenge in implementing response activities in healthcare systems that have already been weakened by previous epidemics and weak community involvement.”

However, health officials were able to vaccinate more than 40,000 people, he said.

“Not only to prevent the recurrence of Ebola, but also to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which is rampant in the country,” Mr. Longondo called on the public to stay vigilant and continue to comply with hygiene measures.

This is the fifth outbreak in Ecatal, adding that epidemic surveillance needs to be strengthened in the region. According to the WHO, Ebola was also the ninth Ebola outbreak in the country, overcoming in just over three months in 2018 and half the reported cases.

WHO praised the response to this outbreak.

“Overcoming one of the world’s most dangerous pathogens in a remote and inaccessible community shows what is possible when science and solidarity come together,” said WHO Africa Chief Matshidiso Moeti. Says.

“The technology used to keep the Ebola vaccine at ultra-low temperatures will help bring the COVID-19 vaccine to Africa,” she added. “It was not easy to tackle Ebola in parallel with COVID-19, but much of the expertise we have built up in one illness can be transferred to another and invested in emergency preparedness. Emphasizes the importance of building regional capabilities. “

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has concluded that this outcome is the end of “the considerable humanitarian challenges facing the country, including the ongoing COVID-19 emergency in addition to long-standing economic and security issues.” I warned that it didn’t mean anything.

Jack Katoshishi, Secretary-General of the Congolese Red Cross, said the national community must continue to receive support from the international community.

“Eliminating Ebola is a big achievement, but now we are facing the next challenge: to maintain it. The team within the DRC Red Cross is in a complex humanitarian and security environment. We are facing COVID-19 inside, “he said. “This is not a satisfying moment. The world cannot afford to revive Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is time to prepare.”

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